received a summons what does that mean
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
received a summons what does that mean
Asked on June 1, 2009 under Real Estate Law, Colorado
Answers:
B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
It means that there has been a lawsuit started against you. Beyond that, it depends on the summons, and the type of lawsuit. You should take the summons, and any papers that came with it, to an attorney in your area. One place to find qualified lawyers is our website, http://attorneypages.com
In most states, a civil summons is served with the complaint, and it will usually tell you where to file your responding papers and when they are due. The complaint will state the facts (from the plaintiff's point of view) and why you should pay damages (or be evicted, etc.).
A summons can also be used in a less serious criminal case, instead of an arrest warrant. A criminal summons may come with a criminal complaint or indictment, like a civil summons, or it can be a single form like a typical traffic ticket, which is both summons and complaint on a single document.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.