# Legal Question: Does a Typographic Error Invalidate Judgement? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 23, 2008, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-does-a-typographic-error-invalidate-judgement/457481 "2008-07-23T14:13:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-does-a-typographic-error-invalidate-judgement/457481/1 "2008-07-23T14:13:24Z")
I recently received a judgement in my favor, from a local (State) trial court. In reading it, I noticed that the presiding judge has made several grammatical and spelling errors in his “Memorandum of Decision”-which was filed with the court docket, and is the basis of the judgement. My question: can the opposing attorney use this as a basis to throw out/contest the ruling? Do I need to get my lawyer to check this? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-does-a-typographic-error-invalidate-judgement/457481/2 "2008-07-23T14:18:58Z")
Depends what they are, really. Usually a typo isn’t fatal. [http://www.adl.org/MWD/suss4.asp](http://www.adl.org/MWD/suss4.asp) Of course, a typo that changes the meaning of the judgment is a bit different. If the judge put a “not” where you don’t think there should be one or typed your opponent’s name after “in favor of” or something like that, you need to talk to a lawyer right away. If you’re already paying a lawyer for this case, the best bet is to contact the lawyer and get advice specific to your jurisdiction.