Small Claims

What can I sue for in small claims court?

I was a defendant in a small claims case, where the motion had no merrit, therefore the case was dismissed with prejudice. The plaintiff has appealed the decision. My question is: does this mean he is appealing the decision of the Magisgtrate based on facts already submitted, or is he going to be able to bring in any new evidence?

What in the difference between a defendant's no answer and denied answer on small claims paperwork?

I have a 14yr old child who was caught at a Macy's dept. store ,along with several other kids, shoplifting. Now my child didnt actually steal anything, the only thing she was caught doing was removing the tag off of a bracelet. My child was not found with any merchandise on her, but the other girls that were with her had stolen several items. My child did recieve a ticket from an officer there at the store and we went to Teen court and now all of the charges have been dropped. A week later , I get a letter from the dept. store stating that we owe them $275.00 in settlement of a civil claim,resulting from a theft . Now my child's ticket was for a theft under $50.00 ,how is it they figure we owe $275.00 on a charge under $50 , and on top of that ,my child was not found with any stolen merchandise on her? The store did lose any of the merchandise so why are they collecting on merchandise that they have in their possesion? Also, $275.00 does not equal to under $50.00.

In small claims court what is a Dismissal with Prejudice on a bench trial. Where I am the defendant and the plantif did not show?