Legal Definitions - notice to appear

A notice to appear is a legal document that summons a person to appear in court. It can also refer to the initial process by which a person is notified of a lawsuit.

For example, if someone is caught speeding, they may receive a notice to appear in court to face the charges. In this case, the notice to appear is a summons.

Similarly, if someone is being sued, they may receive a notice to appear in court to defend themselves. This notice is the initial process by which they are notified of the lawsuit.

The notice to appear typically includes information about the time and place of the court hearing, as well as instructions on how to respond. It is important to take the notice seriously and follow the instructions carefully, as failure to appear or respond can result in a default judgment.