What may happen if a defendant does not respond to a civil complaint?

If a defendant does not respond to a civil complaint, the plaintiff may obtain a default judgment. This occurs when the defendant fails to file a response within the allotted time frame, essentially not contesting the claims made by the plaintiff. As a result, the court may grant the plaintiff's requested relief without further proceedings. This legal process is designed to ensure that plaintiffs can obtain a resolution in cases where defendants do not engage in the litigation process.

In this scenario, the default judgment serves as a way to hold the defendant accountable for their failure to respond, allowing the plaintiff to receive a judgment based on the allegations in the complaint. This mechanism is crucial for upholding the efficiency and integrity of the judicial system, ensuring that cases can progress even if one party chooses not to participate.