[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

I know that a general rule of thumb for Federal courts is that appellants in state cases must pursue legal remedies in state courts first.

Even if the amount of the judgment violates the 8th amendment?

[Alberta's Child]

The amount of the judgement doesn’t mean anything unless the state actually collects on it.

A client of mine was involved in a civil lawsuit a few years ago where many of the details of the case were somewhat similar to this one. In that case, the initiation of a foreclosure action by the other party triggered all kinds of legal bedlam that put him in a very favorable position. He eventually won the case, and through his countersuit was awarded a sizable judgement.