SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT 101: If you receive notice that a civil action (bankruptcy, foreclosure, divorce, etc.) has been filed or a child custody matter has been initiated against you during a period of military service or within 90 days thereafter, you have the right under SCRA to request that the proceedings be stayed for at least 90 days, and the right to request that the court extend the stay if necessary. If your request is denied, the court must appoint an attorney to represent you. In certain actions, if a court enters a judgment against you when you failed to appear or defend yourself during a period of military service or within 60 days thereafter, you have the right under SCRA to request that the court reopen the judgment to allow you to defend the action. PROTECTIONS UNDER SCRA DO NOT APPLY TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.