It would be better not to have a judgment recorded against you. This would affect your credit for 10 years. If the problem is simply that you don't have the money to pay your landlord, maybe you can work something out with him or her - a payment plan, perhaps, or the forfeiture of your security deposit - and have him or her cancel the court date.
If there are other problems why you didn't pay that you believe are the landlord's fault, then prepare the best case you can, with one or more witnesses if possible, and appear in court prepared to demonstrate why your landlord did not keep the premises in habitable condition or whatever other reasons you can present as to why you did not pay the rent.
At the very least, I need to show up at court... just to WASTE HIS MORNING.
He's a slumlord.
-Knocking on the kitchen window at 9.30 PM for the rent (no warning). My SO comes out of the shower in a towel. Landlord wants $$$ handed through window.
-On the 8th day of rent being late, I stated very clearly and boldly, to avoid conflict or misunderstanding, that he could come and get cash cash on the 11th day it was late. He held me on the phone to argue, insisting that he.would.be.in.town. on the following night and that we WOULD pay. I repeated the facts of when we'd have it again and hung up.
-He did show up on that 9th day, thank god I was in class. He showed up with a cop buddy to give a "5 day notice". So stupid, if he'd waited 48 hours he'd have had cash in hand8)
-He has repeatedly refused to give receipts (unless nothing more than a scribble on the back of something else), to give a lease ("they're useless"), and refuses checks ("this is a cash deal").
-I was staying at the domestic violence shelter. During that time he broke in to our house. At least 4 neighbors witnessed it. Should I see if one will come along? It would be a stretch & they might want to be paid for their time. I..don't know. I'll ask!
This is where I'm going to get my edge:
I have panic/anxiety disorder, as well as other diagnoses. I plan to bring in a statement from my Doctor simply stating my condition. In the other hand I will bring a statement showing I was at the DV shelter for the certain week that during which he actually DID break in. I have paranoia & agoraphobia that was exacerbated as a result of how he conducted himself when he came on premises. As a result I had to take my daughter to a domestic violence shelter. I still don't feel safe here.
Thanks for the responses. It's tomorrow morning! I feel that as long as I bring the statement from my doctor and from the shelter it will be enough to win in our favor.