What is Judgment?
The official decision of a court resolving a dispute and determining the rights and obligations of the parties. A judgment may award damages, grant injunctive relief, or dismiss the case.
Understanding Judgment
A judgment becomes final after the time for appeal has passed or all appeals are exhausted. Once final, the prevailing party can use the judgment to collect damages through wage garnishment, bank levies, or property liens. Default judgments may be entered if a defendant fails to respond to a lawsuit.
Examples
- 1Jury verdict awarding $500,000 in damages
- 2Default judgment entered against defendant who did not respond
- 3Summary judgment granted when no material facts are in dispute
Related Terms
Verdict
The formal decision or finding made by a jury (or judge in a bench trial) on the questions of fact submitted to them during a trial.
Damages
Monetary compensation awarded to a person injured through the wrongful conduct of another party. Damages are intended to restore the injured party to the position they were in before the injury occurred.
Settlement
An agreement between parties to resolve a legal dispute without going to trial. Settlements typically involve the defendant paying the plaintiff an agreed-upon sum in exchange for dropping the lawsuit.
Default Judgment
A binding judgment entered by the court in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant fails to respond to the lawsuit or appear in court within the required timeframe.
Statute of Limitations
A law that sets the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated. Once the statute of limitations expires, the claim is typically barred forever.
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