[notreally]

My roommate was served with judgement papers for an outstanding debt. She only works part time and des not have any means of paying this judgement off before the court date. Does she has any options to get out of this without having her credit affected?

[ScottGem]

First, you need to be clear on what exactly she was served with. Judgment papers implies that a judgment has already been awarded to the plaintiff in a law suit. Generally, one isn't' "served" with such. It could be a summons notifying her that a suit has been entered against her. That sounds more likely if there is a future court date. However, generally a court date is not set until the defendant responds to the summons. So you need to determine what it actually is.

Second, in either case, if it has gone as far as being sued her credit is already in the tank.

Finally, any chance on getting out of it depends on what it is, whether she actually owes the debt, who is suing etc. So more info is needed to help.

[Fr_Chuck]

I will start somewhere else first. Her credit is already ruined, since she has a debt that is past due and would have been reported to collections. This will make it worst, but will only be part of what should already be a bad credit score.

Next as Scott said, she would have been served notice of a hearing, where you can go and dispute the amount owed.
Then if you lose a judgement will be issued.