What is a default judgment?

What is a default judgment?

• A. A judgment handed down after a full trial.
• B. A judgment that is automatically entered when a party fails to appear or defend.
• C. A judgment issued only after an appeal.
• D. A judgment that results from a bench trial.

Answer: (B)

A default judgment happens when the court grants relief to the plaintiff without holding a trial because the defendant did not respond to the lawsuit or appear in court. After proper service, if the defendant fails to file an answer by the deadline or misses a required court appearance, the court can enter judgment in favor of the plaintiff as requested in the complaint. This outcome occurs without the usual trial on the merits, which is what distinguishes it from judgments reached after a full trial, an appeal, or a bench trial. Sometimes damages must still be determined, either because they aren’t specified in the complaint or a separate hearing is needed. The default can also be challenged later if the defendant shows good cause, such as excusable neglect or lack of notice.

A default judgment happens when the court grants relief to the plaintiff without holding a trial because the defendant did not respond to the lawsuit or appear in court. After proper service, if the defendant fails to file an answer by the deadline or misses a required court appearance, the court can enter judgment in favor of the plaintiff as requested in the complaint. This outcome occurs without the usual trial on the merits, which is what distinguishes it from judgments reached after a full trial, an appeal, or a bench trial. Sometimes damages must still be determined, either because they aren’t specified in the complaint or a separate hearing is needed. The default can also be challenged later if the defendant shows good cause, such as excusable neglect or lack of notice.