Sometimes the defendant may have a claim against the claimant and may countersue the claimant in the same case. This is known as a "counterclaim" and it can be made for up to $5,000 in money damages.
The defendant is required to file his or her counterclaim with the court within five days of receiving your notice of claim and must pay the court a fee of $5.00 plus the cost of mailing the counterclaim to you. The defendant reserves the right to file a counterclaim until the date of the hearing. The claimant may, but shall not be required to, request and obtain an adjournment of the hearing to a later date. The claimant may reply to the counterclaim but shall not be required to do so.