What is a default judgment?

A default judgment is a court ruling in favor of the party that brought the lawsuit (the plaintiff) when the other party (the defendant) fails to participate in the legal process. This often occurs when the defendant does not answer the complaint or show up to court. In the state of California, a plaintiff must file a default judgment request with the court. The court will review the evidence presented by the plaintiff and determine if they are entitled to a default judgment. If they are, the court will issue a ruling that outlines the damages or relief that the plaintiff is entitled to. This judgment is then recorded by the court and is legally binding on the defendant. The defendant may still be able to challenge the ruling by filing an appeal or showing that the court did not have jurisdiction in their case, but if they do not do so, the default judgment stands.

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