A more thorough explanation:

An abstract of judgment is a document that summarizes a court's decision in a case. It can be used in both civil and criminal cases.

In a civil case, an abstract of judgment is a document that shows how much money a judgment creditor is owed by a judgment debtor. It includes the amount of the judgment, any interest that has accrued, and any court costs. Once an abstract of judgment is recorded, it creates a lien on any real estate owned by the judgment debtor in the county where it is recorded. This means that if the debtor sells the property, the creditor will be paid from the proceeds of the sale.

For example, if a person wins a lawsuit against another person and is awarded $10,000 in damages, they can obtain an abstract of judgment to ensure that they are paid. If the debtor owns a house, the creditor can record the abstract of judgment with the county recorder's office, which will create a lien on the property. If the debtor sells the house, the creditor will be paid from the proceeds of the sale.

In a criminal case, an abstract of judgment is a document that summarizes the defendant's conviction and sentence. It is used to inform prison officials about the conviction and sentence and to provide authority for carrying out the sentence.

For example, if a person is convicted of a crime and sentenced to five years in prison, an abstract of judgment will be prepared to inform the prison officials about the conviction and sentence. The abstract of judgment will also be used to ensure that the sentence is carried out correctly.