The judgment is final decision made by the judge or jury that reflects how much the party who lost the lawsuit (the judgment debtor) owes the party who won the lawsuit (the judgment creditor)—including the rate of interest owed on the amount of the judgment until it is paid, the amount of court costs, and possibly the amount of the judgment creditor’s attorney fees the judgment debtor must pay as part of the judgment.
In South Dakota, a judgment is the final decision made by a judge or jury at the conclusion of a lawsuit. This decision determines the amount of money that the losing party, known as the judgment debtor, must pay to the winning party, or the judgment creditor. The judgment will include the principal amount owed, as well as any interest that accrues on that amount until it is paid in full. The rate of interest is set by state law. Additionally, the judgment may include court costs and, in some cases, attorney fees if the court finds it appropriate and if such fees are recoverable under a contract or statute. Once entered, a judgment is enforceable, and the judgment creditor can take various legal actions to collect the debt, such as wage garnishment or property liens. It is important for judgment debtors to understand their rights and obligations under the judgment, and they may wish to consult with an attorney for guidance on how to proceed.