Gresham Oregon Summons of Defendant is a legal document issued by the Gresham Municipal Court or the County Courthouse in Gresham, Oregon, to notify an individual that a legal action has been initiated against them. This summons is a crucial part of the legal process and must be taken seriously by the defendant. When a legal action is initiated, a plaintiff (the party filing the lawsuit) files a complaint with the court to initiate the case. Upon acceptance of the complaint, the court issues a Gresham Oregon Summons of Defendant. This document includes important information pertaining to the case, including the court's name and location, the case number, the names of the parties involved, and the deadline for the defendant to respond. The Gresham Oregon Summons of Defendant serves as a formal notice to the defendant that they are being sued and must respond accordingly. The summons outlines the allegations made against the defendant, along with the relief sought by the plaintiff. It informs the defendant of their legal rights and the need to respond within a specific time frame, usually within 30 days from the date of being served. There are different types of Gresham Oregon Summons of Defendant, depending on the nature of the legal action. Some common types include: 1. Civil Summons: This type of summons is issued in civil cases, where one party is suing another for a variety of reasons, such as personal injury, breach of contract, or property disputes. 2. Small Claims Summons: Small claims cases involve disputes over relatively small amounts of money. The small claims summon is typically used to notify defendants in such cases. 3. Criminal Summons: In criminal cases, a criminal summons may be issued to notify a defendant of the charges against them and require their appearance in court. It is crucial for defendants receiving a Gresham Oregon Summons of Defendant to promptly consult with an attorney or seek legal advice. Failing to respond within the specified time frame may result in a default judgment, meaning the court may rule in favor of the plaintiff without the defendant's input. Therefore, defendants must thoroughly read and understand the summons, seek legal representation if necessary, and diligently respond or appear in court as directed.