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What are the potential consequences of failing to respond to a summons?

  1. Legal dismissal of the case

  2. Increased court fees

  3. Issuance of an arrest warrant

  4. Judgment by default against the non-responding party

The correct answer is: Judgment by default against the non-responding party

Failing to respond to a summons can lead to a judgment by default against the non-responding party. When a defendant does not answer or appear in court after being properly served with a summons, the court may assume that the defendant does not dispute the claims made by the plaintiff. As a result, the court can rule in favor of the plaintiff, granting them the relief they sought without hearing from the other side. This default judgment can have significant consequences for the non-responding party, including financial judgments, loss of property, and other punitive measures. It underscores the importance of responding to legal documents in a timely manner to ensure that one's side of the story can be heard and considered by the court.