Cal. Civ. Code § 534.130
Failure of defendant to appear
Operative Text
If the defendant, being duly summoned, does not appear at the time appointed for hearing the complaint, the judge shall proceed with the hearing of the cause.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 534.130 establishes that a court proceeding over a landlord-tenant complaint moves forward even if the defendant has been properly served with a summons but fails to show up at the scheduled hearing. The judge is not required to wait or reschedule simply because one party is absent. The rule ensures that a properly noticed case can be resolved without the defendant's participation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.130, a landlord who has been properly summoned as a defendant in a complaint must treat the hearing date as a firm deadline. Operators who manage properties in Missouri generally ensure that any court notices are tracked carefully and that a representative appears at the scheduled time, since the hearing will proceed regardless of their presence. Missing a hearing after proper service means the case can be decided without the landlord's side of the story being heard.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 534.130 provides tenants with the assurance that a properly scheduled hearing will not be derailed simply because the opposing party fails to appear. If a defendant landlord has been duly summoned and does not show up, the judge is authorized to hear the matter and reach a decision based on the evidence presented. Tenants who have questions about how this rule applies to their proceedings may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Missouri landlord-tenant law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation