What must be included in a summons regarding the consequences of not appearing?

The correct choice is the requirement that a summons must include a notification of a default judgment against the defendant. This serves a crucial purpose in ensuring that the defendant is fully informed about what could occur if they choose not to respond or appear in court. Specifically, if a defendant fails to appear, the court may enter a default judgment in favor of the plaintiff, potentially resulting in the loss of the case without any further hearing or input from the defendant.

This notification is important in the context of fairness and due process, ensuring that defendants understand that their absence has real consequences, which protects their right to be heard. It makes it clear to the defendant that if they do not take action, they risk a judgment being entered against them simply by failing to respond.

Other options do not meet the strict requirement found in legal statutes regarding what must be communicated in a summons. For instance, while fines could be a consequence of failing to appear in some contexts, they are not universally applicable in all cases. Information about the court's next session may be relevant but does not adequately convey the consequences of inaction. Likewise, details about the plaintiff's case pertain to the merits of the claims and do not directly inform the defendant of the implications of their non-appearance in