javascript/jquery user input validation in asp.net mvc

I have a form in  razor view (see sample code below). In the form tag, i have specified controller action method, that will be called when form is posted. I want to validate user input, when user clicks on search button. and if there are any errors in user input, prevent the form posting and display errors.

I can create a javascript/jquery function to check for user input validation. how should i call the this function and how can i prevent the form submission, if there are any errors?


--default.cshtml
 <form id="defaultForm" method="post" action="controllerMethod">

<input type="submit" id="searchBtn" value="Search" />
......
</form>
 <script type="text/javascript">
</script>