Default Judgment
A court ruling in favor of one party because the other party failed to respond or appear.
A default judgment is entered when one side in a lawsuit fails to respond within the required deadline or does not show up for a hearing. The court essentially rules in favor of the other side because there is no opposition.
In Minnesota, if you are served with a complaint and summons but do not file an answer within 20 days, the plaintiff can ask the court to enter a default judgment against you. This means the plaintiff can win without a trial.
Why it matters: A default judgment can result in a significant financial obligation, wage garnishment, or other consequences – all without you ever having your say in court. If you receive court papers, responding on time is critical even if you believe the case has no merit.
Example: A credit card company sues you for $3,000 in unpaid debt. You ignore the complaint and do not file an answer. After the deadline passes, the company asks the court for a default judgment and gets it. They can now pursue wage garnishment to collect the $3,000 plus interest and fees.
Civil lawsuits where the defendant does not file an answer or show up to court