Sass v. Cohen

*444*1034When a plaintiff files a lawsuit, the defendant can opt not to respond; the result is a default judgment for the plaintiff. ( *1035Code Civ. Proc., §§ 580, subd. (a), 585, subds. (a) & (b).)1 However, the relief awarded in such a default judgment "cannot exceed" the "type and amount of relief" sought in the plaintiff's operative pleadings. ( § 580, subd. (a) ; Becker v. S.P.V. Construction Co. (1980) 27 Cal.3d 489, 493-494, 165 Cal.Rptr. 825, 612 P.2d 915 ( Becker ).) This case presents two unsettled questions: (1) May a default judgment be entered for an amount in excess of the demand in the…