KARE Investigates: Small claims court red tape keeps scam victims from justice [Video]

Vicki Semsch says Minnesota’s small claims court system is broken.

The Long Lake homeowner thought that if you’re the victim of a scam or an unscrupulous contractor, you could seek justice and get your money back in conciliation court, also known as small claims court.

She filed a case in court – and won!

But Vicki says she found herself in a maze of paperwork, costing her time and money — even after she won a judgment against a concrete contractor who damaged her home and fence and left subpar work on her driveway and garage floor.

Two years later and after countless hours navigating the court system, Vicki hasn’t seen a dime of the money she is owed.

“This is a failed system is what it is,” she told KARE 11 Investigates.

Winning is just the start

Plaintiff after plaintiff, …