How is a judgment satisfied?

• A. A judgment is satisfied when the defendant has completed everything the judgment ordered, most often by paying the fine and costs in full
• B. By appealing the judgment
• C. By filing new papers
• D. By having a trial de novo

Answer: (A)

Satisfying a judgment means the obligation created by the court’s ruling has been fully fulfilled. Once the terms are met—most commonly by the defendant paying the ordered amount, including any fines and costs—the judgment is considered satisfied and discharged. The court record is updated to show that the obligation is complete, and the dispute is closed.

Appealing the judgment doesn’t fulfill the court’s order; it’s a challenge to the ruling that can suspend enforce­ment but does not discharge the obligation itself. Filing new papers or having a trial de novo are separate procedural steps tied to continuing or revisiting the case, not the act of meeting the judgment’s terms.