Legal Definitions - judgment record

A judgment record, often interchangeably referred to as a judgment docket, is an official document or entry maintained by a court clerk that formally registers the final decision or order issued by a court in a legal case. This record typically includes essential details such as the names of the parties involved, the date of the judgment, the amount of any monetary award, and any specific actions or obligations mandated by the court. Once entered into the judgment record, the court's decision becomes a matter of public record, which can have significant implications, such as creating a lien on property or affecting a party's credit standing.

• Example 1: Debt Collection

  A credit card company sues a customer for failing to pay a significant outstanding balance. After reviewing the evidence, the court rules in favor of the credit card company, ordering the customer to pay the full amount plus accrued interest. This decision is then formally entered into the court's judgment record, creating an official public document of the customer's financial obligation to the company.

  This example illustrates how the judgment record formalizes a court's decision regarding a monetary debt, making it an official and enforceable public record that the credit card company can use to pursue collection.

• Example 2: Personal Injury Lawsuit

  Following a car accident, an injured driver sues the at-fault driver for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A jury awards the injured driver $75,000 in damages. The court clerk then creates a judgment record detailing this specific award, which officially establishes the at-fault driver's legal obligation to pay the compensation.

  Here, the judgment record documents the specific monetary compensation ordered by the court in a personal injury case, making the at-fault driver's liability official and providing the injured driver with a formal basis for collecting the award.

• Example 3: Business Contract Dispute

  A construction company sues a subcontractor for failing to complete work on time, leading to significant delays and financial penalties for the main project. The court finds the subcontractor in breach of contract and orders them to pay the construction company $50,000 in damages. This order is then formally entered into the judgment record, providing the construction company with an official document to enforce the payment.

  This example demonstrates how a judgment record formalizes a court's decision in a business dispute, establishing a clear financial obligation that can be used by the construction company to recover its losses.