If the Complaint and Summons show that today is the Return Date, why dont I have to be in court today?
The Return Date is NOT a Court Date unless your Appearance is for a Forcible Detainer (Eviction), Replevin, Detinue or Revival of Judgment case. In all other cases, think of the Return Date as a Response Date. That is, the person being sued you, the Defendant is required by law to respond to the lawsuit on or before the Return Date by filing an Appearance form. Note: If this is a Forcible Detainer (Eviction), Replevin, Detinue or Revival of Judgment case, the return date is your court date. If this is the case, you must file an appearance form and appear in court on the return date.
