What is a default judgment and when might it occur in the context of service?

• A. A judgment entered when the defendant fails to respond to a properly served complaint within the allowed period.
• B. A judgment issued only after a full trial despite no response.
• C. A judgment entered against the plaintiff for failure to prosecute.
• D. A judgment based on a mutually agreed settlement.

Answer: (A)

A default judgment is a ruling the court enters because the defendant did not respond after being properly served with the complaint and given a fair time to answer. Once service is valid and the defendant misses the deadline to plead or defend, the plaintiff can ask the court to enter judgment in the plaintiff’s favor based on the allegations in the complaint. This reflects that there was no contest to the claims since no response was filed, and no trial is held on those issues unless the defendant later moves to set aside the default for good cause. It’s not a judgment after a full trial, not against the plaintiff for failing to prosecute, and not a settlement reached by agreement.