Which term is a judgment entered by a court against a defendant who fails to appear or defend against the plaintiff's claim?

• A. Default judgment
• B. Remission
• C. Forfeiture
• D. Payor

Answer: (A)

A judgment entered when the defendant fails to appear or defend is called a default judgment. This occurs after the defendant has been properly served and does not respond or show up, leaving the court to rule in the plaintiff’s favor based on the claim as presented. The purpose is to prevent a plaintiff’s case from being stalled indefinitely when the other side does not participate, while still allowing the possibility to request damages and, in some jurisdictions, to seek relief from the default for good cause. The other terms refer to different ideas: remission means reducing or cancelling debt, forfeiture is the loss of property or rights due to violation or breach, and a payor is someone who pays money.