Time To File Appearance

(a) After the writ has been filed the attorney for any party to any action, or any party himself or herself, may enter his or her appearance in writing with the clerk of the court location to which such action is returnable. Except where otherwise pre- scribed herein or by statute, an appearance for a party in a civil or family case should be filed on or before the second day following the return day. Appearances filed thereafter in such cases shall be accepted but an appearance for a party after the entry against such party of a nonsuit or judg- ment after default for failure to appear shall not affect the entry of the nonsuit or any judgment after default. (b) An appearance in a criminal case or in a juvenile matter should be filed promptly but may be filed at any stage of the proceeding. (P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 64 (b); see also Secs. 66, 630, 1056.1.)