What Is a Summons and How Is It Used in a Court Case?

We have all seen scenes in movies or TV shows of individuals being served papers or told to be summoned to appear in court. Typically, these scenes are accompanied by dramatic monologues or interactions with those serving the papers.

Like most concepts depicted in the media, this scene is far from reality. Indeed, being served with a summons is typically much less dramatic, but still something to be taken seriously. Keep reading to eliminate any confusion about what a summons is and how it can be used in court.

What is a Summons?

A summons is a form prepared by the plaintiff or the person suing that informs the defendant that they need to respond to the lawsuit or, in some cases, appear in court. It could be served in person, by a sheriff or another authorized individual, or delivered by mail.

Civil Case Summons

In civil cases, the summons notifies the party being sued so they can respond to the allegations and present their defenses.  It will also alert the defendant to the timeline for how many days they have before they have to respond to the lawsuit.

How Can a Summons Be Used in Court?

If you ignore a civil case summons and do not respond in the required time frame, the court may automatically side with the person suing you. This means you will legally owe the plaintiff what they requested in the original summons.

Learn More About What a Summons is and How It is Used in a Court Case

To say the least, a summons can profoundly impact your life. It usually is in your best interest to consult a lawyer to understand the case that has been brought against you and to make sure that you respond not only within the required time limits but that you present every defense that is available to you.

Contact the skilled personal injury attorneys at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda today for a free consultation to discuss your case.