From viewing the Small Claims website, Craven County actually prefers that you not hire an attorney and just represent yourself. I now know why. It's not a Judge reviewing the case but a Magistrate and boy did I draw the short straw. This magistrate was not interested in seeing my receipts or documentation for damages on my house. If I didn't know better, I would say this is how Craven County found out they could cut cost by having people pay court fees upfront, have a magistrate "review" (and I use that word loosely) your case and then dismiss the entire thing. I feel cheated not only by my tenants but by Craven County District Court. And yes, I wrote a formal complaint to Judge Walter Mills back in September 2020. Still waiting on his reply. What a joke!