What is a default judgment?

• A. A memorandum of law filed by the parties.
• B. A judgment entered when a party fails to respond to a claim or appear in court.
• C. An order to arrest someone before trial.
• D. A verdict reached after a jury trial.

Answer: (B)

A default judgment is a court decision that happens when a party does not respond to a claim or appear in court. After the plaintiff serves the defendant with the complaint, the defendant typically has a set period to file an answer or show up. If there’s no response or appearance, the court may grant the relief requested in the complaint without holding a trial on the merits. This isn’t about writing a memorandum of law, arresting someone, or delivering a jury verdict. It’s a remedy based on the party’s failure to defend, which makes the plaintiff’s allegations effectively uncontested, though the court still ensures proper service and notice. If damages aren’t clear in the complaint, the plaintiff may need to prove them for the default to be fully developed, and in some cases a default judgment can be set aside for reasons like excusable neglect or lack of proper notice.