what is fraud against a municipality and how long do a defendant have to file an answer in civl court

A little more information would be helpful. I would guess that it is the filing of a false document or something similar. Generally, in civil court you have twenty days to file and answer. You should have received a summons that tells you how long you have to file an answer.

Generally in civil court you have 20 days from when the summons and complaint are served to file a response -- generally a motion to dismiss or an answer (with any affirmative defenses). If you don't file and serve a response within that time, the plaintiff may seek a default and default judgment against you. If you want your day in court, don't delay any longer. If a default has already been entered, the sooner you seek to set it aside, the better your chances.

Fraud is actionable if certain elements of proof are established by the evidence. Using the written documentation you have is a good place to begin. Contact a local lawyer - many may give you a free consultation for an hour - to discuss your specifics. Far too many variables exist in the short post you wrote for any further observation by me.

Good luck.

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