What is a default judgment?

A default judgment is a court decision that is issued when a defendant in a civil lawsuit fails to respond to the lawsuit in any way. This means that they did not file an answer to the complaint, show up to court, or take any other action that is necessary to take part in the legal process. The plaintiff in the lawsuit will be granted the default judgment, meaning that they can receive whatever claim they were seeking such as money or other relief. In Mississippi, when a defendant is served with a civil complaint and summons, they are required to serve the plaintiff with an answer to the complaint within 30 days. If the defendant fails to do this, a judge can enter a default judgment. This will result in the plaintiff being granted whatever relief they were seeking in the lawsuit. Default judgments can be dangerous for defendants as they can be held liable for any damages or awards requested by the plaintiff. This is why defendants should always take the legal process seriously and make sure to take part in it in order to protect their rights and interests. If you have been served with a lawsuit in Mississippi, it is important to speak with an attorney and make sure to file an answer to the complaint in a timely manner.

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