(a) Default. If the defendant does not appear at the scheduled time, the plaintiff is entitled to a default to be entered by either the judge or clerk.
(b) Final Judgment. After default is entered, the judge shall receive evidence establishing the damages and enter judgment in accordance with the evidence and the law. The judge may inquire into and prevent abuses of venue prior to entering judgment.
What Happens When the Defendant is a "No-Show": This rule outlines the serious consequences for a defendant who fails to appear in court as required.
(a) Getting a Default: If the defendant does not show up for their scheduled court date (usually the pretrial conference), the plaintiff has the right to ask the court to enter a "default" against the defendant. A default is an official finding by the court that the defendant has failed to defend themselves against the lawsuit.
(b) Getting a Final Judgment: A default is not the end of the case. After the default is entered, the plaintiff must still prove their damages to the judge. This might happen at the same hearing or a later one. The plaintiff will present evidence (like receipts, invoices, or testimony) to show the amount of money they are owed. The judge will then enter a legally-enforceable Final Judgment for that amount. The rule also notes that even at this stage, the judge can check to make sure the lawsuit was filed in the proper location (venue).
