What is the difference between a summons and a complaint?

The difference between a summons and a complaint is an important one to understand when going to court in California. A summons is a legal document that is served upon the defendant of a court case, usually by a process server. It orders the defendant to appear in court on a certain date and at a certain time. It also informs the defendant of the plaintiffs’ allegations and the nature of the lawsuit. A complaint, on the other hand, is a formal document that states the allegations that the plaintiff believes the defendant is guilty of. It includes a more detailed version of the allegations than the summons. In addition, the complaint may list possible damages that the plaintiff believes that they are due as a result of the defendant’s actions. The complaint must be served on the defendant along with the summons. The purpose of the summons is to inform the defendant of the lawsuit and give them the opportunity to appear in court to defend themselves. The purpose of the complaint is to provide a more detailed version of the allegations and list damages that the plaintiff believes they are due. In order to proceed with a successful case, both documents must be served on the defendant.

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