What is a Default Judgment?

A Default Judgment is specifically a ruling made by the court in favor of one party due to the failure of the other party to respond or appear in a legal proceeding. This typically occurs when a defendant does not file a required response to a complaint or does not show up for a scheduled court date, leading the court to conclude that the non-responding party accepts the allegations made against them. In essence, a Default Judgment allows the party that has complied with the court's requirements to secure a judgment without having to present evidence or argue their case in court, as the absent party is not contesting the claims.

This type of judgment reflects the principle that one must engage with the legal process; failing to do so can result in a judicial determination without further proceedings. Other options describe different types of judgments that involve parties actively participating in legal processes (such as a trial or an appeal) or situations where evidence is presented. Thus, they do not accurately define what a Default Judgment is.