What is a summons in the context of court proceedings?

A summons serves as a crucial legal document in court proceedings, specifically designed to notify a defendant that a lawsuit has been filed against them. It typically includes essential information such as the name of the court, the parties involved in the lawsuit, and instructions on how the defendant can respond if they wish to contest the claims made against them. The purpose of a summons is to ensure that defendants are aware of the legal action and have the opportunity to appear in court to defend their interests.

In contrast, the other options describe different legal concepts. A legal document outlining the charges against a defendant pertains more to criminal cases and is typically known as an indictment or charge sheet rather than a summons. A record of court proceedings refers to transcripts or court minutes, which document what has taken place during a court session. Lastly, a type of plea submitted by the defendant relates to the defendant's official response to the charges, which can include guilty, not guilty, or no contest pleas. Each of these elements plays a distinct role in the judicial process, but only the summons specifically serves as the initial notification of a lawsuit to a defendant.