Chapter 1 General
Chapter 2 Presentation and Consideration of Claims
Chapter 3 Proceedings to Determine Constitutionality of Claims Against the State
Chapter 4 Presentation of Claims to State Controller
Chapter 4.5 Prompt Payment of Claims
Chapter 5 Claims Procedures Established by Agreement
Chapter 6 Claims Procedures Established by Public Entities

Terms Used In California Codes > Government Code > Title 1 > Division 3.6 > Part 3 - CLAIMS AGAINST PUBLIC ENTITIES

  • Abstract of judgment: In a federal criminal proceeding, A certification from a U.S. District Court clerk that a judgment of restitution was entered against the defendant owing to the victim. If the defendant inherits, owns, or sells real property or holdings, these assets can then be attached at the state and local levels as well.
  • Abusive litigation: means litigation or other legal action to deter, prevent, sanction, or punish a person engaging in legally protected health care activity by either of the following:

    California Civil Code 1798.300

  • Adult: means an individual 18 years of age or older. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Affirmed: In the practice of the appellate courts, the decree or order is declared valid and will stand as rendered in the lower court.
  • affordable price: means , in the case of a purchaser, other than a lower income household, the price for residential property for which the purchaser's monthly payments will not exceed that portion of the purchasing household's adjusted income as determined in accordance with the regulations of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, issued pursuant to Section 235 of the National Housing Act. See California Government Code 54236
  • Aid-in-dying drug: means a drug determined and prescribed by a physician for a qualified individual, which the qualified individual may choose to self-administer to bring about their death due to a terminal disease. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Allegation: something that someone says happened.
  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • ammunition: includes , but is not limited to, any bullet, cartridge, magazine, clip, speed loader, autoloader, ammunition feeding device, or projectile capable of being fired from a firearm with a deadly consequence. See California Penal Code 16150
  • ammunition vendor: means any person, firm, corporation, or other business enterprise that holds a current ammunition vendor license issued pursuant to Section 30385. See California Penal Code 16151
  • Annuity: A periodic (usually annual) payment of a fixed sum of money for either the life of the recipient or for a fixed number of years. A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • Appraisal: A determination of property value.
  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
  • area median income: means median household income, adjusted for family size as determined in accordance with the regulations of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development issued pursuant to Section 235 of the National Housing Act, as amended (Public Law 90-448), for the standard metropolitan statistical area (SMSA), in which surplus residential property to be disposed of pursuant to this article is located, or the county in which the property is located, if it is outside an SMSA. See California Government Code 54236
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
  • Attending physician: means the physician who has primary responsibility for the health care of an individual and treatment of the individual's terminal disease. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Attending physician checklist and compliance form: means a form, as described in Section 443. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Bequest: Property gifted by will.
  • board: means any entity listed in Section 101, the entities referred to in Sections 1000 and 3600, the State Bar, the Department of Real Estate, and any other state agency that issues a license, certificate, or registration authorizing a person to engage in a business or profession. See California Business and Professions Code 31
  • bribe: signifies anything of value or advantage, present or prospective, or any promise or undertaking to give any, asked, given, or accepted, with a corrupt intent to influence, unlawfully, the person to whom it is given, in his or her action, vote, or opinion, in any public or official capacity. See California Penal Code 7
  • by districts: as used in this article shall mean election of members of the legislative body by voters of the district alone. See California Government Code 34871
  • Capacity to make medical decisions: means that, in the opinion of an individual's attending physician, consulting physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist, pursuant to §. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • City: includes "city and county" and "incorporated town" but does not include "unincorporated town" or "village. See California Government Code 20
  • City: includes "city and county" and "incorporated town. See California Streets and Highways Code 15
  • Civil engineer: as used in this chapter means a professional engineer in the branch of civil engineering and refers to one who practices or offers to practice civil engineering in any of its phases. See California Business and Professions Code 6702
  • commission: means a county transportation commission created pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 130050). See California Public Utilities Code 130002
  • Commissioner: means any county agricultural commissioner. See California Food and Agricultural Code 26
  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • Community-based punishment: means correctional sanctions and programming encompassing a range of custodial and noncustodial responses to criminal or noncompliant offender activity. See California Penal Code 17.5
  • company: as used in this division means a premium finance agency as defined in Section 18560. See California Financial Code 18003
  • compensation: means the remuneration paid out of funds controlled by the employer in payment for the member's services performed during normal working hours or for time during which the member is excused from work because of any of the following:

    California Government Code 20630

  • Complaint: includes a cross-complaint. See California Code of Civil Procedure 587.5
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Consulting physician: means a physician who is independent from the attending physician and who is qualified by specialty or experience to make a professional diagnosis and prognosis regarding an individual's terminal disease. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • County: includes city and county. See California Water Code 14
  • County: includes city and county. See California Health and Safety Code 14
  • County: includes city and county. See California Business and Professions Code 17
  • County: includes "city and county. See California Code of Civil Procedure 17
  • county: includes "city and county". See California Penal Code 7
  • County: includes "city and county. See California Public Resources Code 14
  • County: includes "city and county. See California Streets and Highways Code 14
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Defendant: includes a cross-defendant. See California Code of Civil Procedure 587.5
  • department: means the Department of General Services. See California Government Code 925
  • Department: means the State Department of Public Health. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Department: means the Department of Food and Agriculture. See California Food and Agricultural Code 32
  • Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
  • Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
  • Devise: To gift property by will.
  • Director: means "State Director of Health Services. See California Health and Safety Code 21
  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • displacement: includes , but is not limited to, persons who will have to move from surplus residential property that they occupy when it is sold by a state agency because they are unable to afford to pay the price that the state agency is asking for the residential property. See California Government Code 54236
  • Dispose: means either of the following:

    California Government Code 54221

  • district: as used in this article includes all districts within the state, including, but not limited to, all special districts, sewer, water, utility, and local and regional park districts, and any other political subdivision of this state that is a district, and therefore the changes in paragraph (1) made by the act adding this paragraph that specify that the provisions of this article apply to all districts, including school, sewer, water, utility, and local and regional park districts of any kind or class, are declaratory of, and not a change in, existing law. See California Government Code 54221
  • Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
  • domestic violence: means abuse perpetrated against any of the following persons:

    California Penal Code 16490

  • Donor: The person who makes a gift.
  • Entitlement: A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Escrow: Money given to a third party to be held for payment until certain conditions are met.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Evidence-based practices: refers to supervision policies, procedures, programs, and practices demonstrated by scientific research to reduce recidivism among individuals under probation, parole, or post release supervision. See California Penal Code 17.5
  • Ex officio: Literally, by virtue of one's office.
  • Executive session: A portion of the Senate's daily session in which it considers executive business.
  • exempt surplus land: means any of the following:

    California Government Code 54221

  • Extradition: The formal process of delivering an accused or convicted person from authorities in one state to authorities in another state.
  • Fair market value: The price at which an asset would change hands in a transaction between a willing, informed buyer and a willing, informed seller.
  • fair market value: shall mean fair market value as of the date the offer of sale is made by the selling agency pursuant to the provisions of this article and shall reflect the existing "as is" condition of the property, taking into account any repairs required to make the property safe and habitable. See California Government Code 54236
  • firearm: has the meaning provided in subdivision (a) of Section 16520. See California Penal Code 12001
  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
  • flash incarceration: is a period of detention in a city or county jail due to a violation of an offender's conditions of postrelease supervision. See California Penal Code 3454
  • Forbearance: A means of handling a delinquent loan. A
  • from districts: shall mean election of members of the legislative body who are residents of the district from which they are elected by the voters of the entire city. See California Government Code 34871
  • Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
  • Grace period: The number of days you'll have to pay your bill for purchases in full without triggering a finance charge. Source: Federal Reserve
  • Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
  • Grantor: The person who establishes a trust and places property into it.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • handgun: means any pistol, revolver, or firearm capable of being concealed upon the person. See California Penal Code 16640
  • Health care entity: means any clinic, health dispensary, or health facility licensed pursuant to Division 2 (commencing with Section 1200), including a general hospital, medical clinic, nursing home or hospice facility. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Indemnification: In general, a collateral contract or assurance under which one person agrees to secure another person against either anticipated financial losses or potential adverse legal consequences. Source: FDIC
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Informed decision: means a decision by an individual with a terminal disease to request and obtain a prescription for a drug that the individual may self-administer to end the individual's life, that is based on an understanding and acknowledgment of the relevant facts, and that is made after being fully informed by the attending physician of all of the following:

    California Health and Safety Code 443.1

  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • Interest rate: The amount paid by a borrower to a lender in exchange for the use of the lender's money for a certain period of time. Interest is paid on loans or on debt instruments, such as notes or bonds, either at regular intervals or as part of a lump sum payment when the issue matures. Source: OCC
  • Juror: A person who is on the jury.
  • Justice reinvestment: is a data-driven approach to reduce corrections and related criminal justice spending and reinvest savings in strategies designed to increase public safety. See California Penal Code 17.5
  • knowingly: import s only a knowledge that the facts exist which bring the act or omission within the provisions of this code. See California Penal Code 7
  • Lawsuit: A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty, resulting in harm to the plaintiff.
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • Legally protected health care activity: means any of the following:

    California Civil Code 1798.300

  • legislative body: means board of trustees, city council, or other governing body of a city. See California Government Code 34000
  • Legislative session: That part of a chamber's daily session in which it considers legislative business (bills, resolutions, and actions related thereto).
  • Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
  • license: means license, certificate, registration, or other means to engage in a business or profession regulated by this code or referred to in Section 1000 or 3600. See California Business and Professions Code 23.7
  • Licensee: means any person authorized by a license, certificate, registration, or other means to engage in a business or profession regulated by this code or referred to in Sections 1000 and 3600. See California Business and Professions Code 23.8
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
  • Local agency: means every city, whether organized under general law or by charter, county, city and county, district, including school, sewer, water, utility, and local and regional park districts of any kind or class, joint powers authority, successor agency to a former redevelopment agency, housing authority, or other political subdivision of this state and any instrumentality thereof that is empowered to acquire and hold real property. See California Government Code 54221
  • lower income households: means lower income households as defined in §. See California Government Code 54236
  • mayor: includes president of the legislative body. See California Government Code 34002
  • Mechanical engineer: as used in this chapter means a professional engineer in the branch of mechanical engineering and refers to one who practices or offers to practice mechanical engineering in any of its phases. See California Business and Professions Code 6702.2
  • Medically confirmed: means the medical diagnosis and prognosis of the attending physician has been confirmed by a consulting physician who has examined the individual and the individual's relevant medical records. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Mental health specialist: means a psychiatrist or a licensed psychologist. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Mental health specialist assessment: means one or more consultations between an individual and a mental health specialist for the purpose of determining that the individual has the capacity to make medical decisions and is not suffering from impaired judgment due to a mental disorder. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Month: means a calendar month, unless otherwise expressed. See California Code of Civil Procedure 17
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • offer: means to solicit proposals prior to sale in a manner calculated to achieve a sale under the conditions specified, and to hold the offer open for a reasonable period of time, which shall be no more than one year, unless the time is extended by the selling agency at its discretion, for a period to be specified by the selling agency. See California Government Code 54236
  • omnibus claim appropriation: means an act of appropriation, or an item of appropriation in a budget act, by which the Legislature appropriates a lump sum to pay the claim of the Department of General Services or its secretary against the state in an amount that the Legislature has determined is properly chargeable to the state. See California Government Code 920
  • Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
  • Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
  • peace officer: signify any one of the officers mentioned in Chapter 4. See California Penal Code 7
  • Person: means any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, business trust, corporation, limited liability company, or company. See California Health and Safety Code 19
  • Person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See California Code of Civil Procedure 17
  • Person: includes any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, limited liability company, syndicate, estate, trust, business trust, or organization of any kind. See California Financial Code 18
  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • persons and families of low or moderate income: means persons and families who meet both of the following conditions:

    California Government Code 54236

  • Physician: means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy currently licensed to practice medicine in this state. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Plaintiff: includes a cross-complainant. See California Code of Civil Procedure 587.5
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
  • Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. Source: OCC
  • Precedent: A court decision in an earlier case with facts and law similar to a dispute currently before a court. Precedent will ordinarily govern the decision of a later similar case, unless a party can show that it was wrongly decided or that it differed in some significant way.
  • Preliminary hearing: A hearing where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to make the defendant have a trial.
  • Pretrial conference: A meeting of the judge and lawyers to discuss which matters should be presented to the jury, to review evidence and witnesses, to set a timetable, and to discuss the settlement of the case.
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
  • Probate: Proving a will
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Process: includes a writ or summons issued in the course of judicial proceedings of either a civil or criminal nature. See California Government Code 22
  • Process: signifies a writ or summons issued in the course of a judicial proceeding. See California Code of Civil Procedure 17
  • property: includes property real and personal. See California Civil Code 14
  • property: includes both real and personal property. See California Penal Code 7
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
  • Public place: means any street, alley, park, public building, any place of business or assembly open to or frequented by the public, and any other place that is open to the public view, or to which the public has access. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Qualified individual: means an adult who has the capacity to make medical decisions, is a resident of California, and has satisfied the requirements of this part in order to obtain a prescription for a drug to end their life. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
  • Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
  • Recess: A temporary interruption of the legislative business.
  • Recourse: An arrangement in which a bank retains, in form or in substance, any credit risk directly or indirectly associated with an asset it has sold (in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) that exceeds a pro rata share of the bank's claim on the asset. If a bank has no claim on an asset it has sold, then the retention of any credit risk is recourse. Source: FDIC
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • Remand: When an appellate court sends a case back to a lower court for further proceedings.
  • Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
  • Reproductive health care services: means and includes all services, care, or products of a medical, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, diagnostic, mental health, behavioral health, preventative, rehabilitative, supportive, consultative, referral, prescribing, or dispensing nature relating to the human reproductive system provided in accordance with the constitution and laws of this state, whether provided in person or by means of telehealth services which includes, but is not limited to, all services, care, and products relating to pregnancy, the termination of a pregnancy, assisted reproduction, or contraception. See California Civil Code 1798.300
  • Rescission: The cancellation of budget authority previously provided by Congress. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 specifies that the President may propose to Congress that funds be rescinded. If both Houses have not approved a rescission proposal (by passing legislation) within 45 days of continuous session, any funds being withheld must be made available for obligation.
  • responsible adult: means a person at least 21 years of age who is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm. See California Penal Code 17070
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • safety: is a utomatically applied by the pistol, this feature shall not be defeated. See California Penal Code 31900
  • Secretary: means the Secretary of Food and Agriculture. See California Food and Agricultural Code 35
  • Self-administer: means a qualified individual's affirmative, conscious, and physical act of administering and ingesting the aid-in-dying drug to bring about their own death. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Sell: includes offer for sale, expose for sale, possess for sale, exchange, barter, or trade. See California Food and Agricultural Code 44
  • Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
  • single-family residence: means a real property improvement used, or intended to be used, as a dwelling unit for one family. See California Government Code 54236
  • Spouse: includes "registered domestic partner" as required by §. See California Business and Professions Code 14.2
  • spouse: includes a registered domestic partner, as required by §. See California Civil Code 14
  • Spouse: includes "registered domestic partner" as required by §. See California Government Code 12.2
  • State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Water Code 18
  • State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Harbors and Navigation Code 20
  • State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Health and Safety Code 23
  • State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Business and Professions Code 21
  • State: includes the District of Columbia and the territories when applied to the different parts of the United States, and the words "United States" may include the district and territories. See California Code of Civil Procedure 17
  • state agency: shall include any state board, commission, bureau, or division created pursuant to the provisions of the Business and Professions Code, the Education Code, or the Chiropractic Initiative Act to license and regulate individuals who engage in certain businesses and professions. See California Penal Code 23
  • state agency: includes every state office, officer, department, division, bureau, board, and commission. See California Government Code 11000
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.
  • Subdivision: means a subdivision of the section in which that term occurs unless some other section is expressly mentioned. See California Water Code 10
  • Subdivision: means a subdivision of the section in which that term occurs, unless some other section is expressly mentioned. See California Business and Professions Code 15
  • Subdivision: means a subdivision of the section in which that term occurs unless some other section is expressly mentioned. See California Public Utilities Code 10
  • Subdivision: means a subdivision of the section in which that term occurs unless some other section is expressly mentioned. See California Food and Agricultural Code 49
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Surplus land: includes land held in the Community Redevelopment Property Trust Fund pursuant to §. See California Government Code 54221
  • surplus residential property: means land and structures owned by any agency of the state that is determined to be no longer necessary for the agency's use, and that is developed as single-family or multifamily housing, except property being held by the agency for the purpose of exchange. See California Government Code 54236
  • Temporary restraining order: Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held.
  • Terminal disease: means an incurable and irreversible disease that has been medically confirmed and will, within reasonable medical judgment, result in death within six months. See California Health and Safety Code 443.1
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
  • Town: includes "unincorporated town" and "village. See California Government Code 21
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Trial jury: A group of citizens who hear the evidence presented by both sides at trial and determine the facts in dispute. Federal criminal juries consist of 12 persons. Federal civil juries consist of six persons.
  • Trust account: A general term that covers all types of accounts in a trust department, such as estates, guardianships, and agencies. Source: OCC
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
  • Truth in Lending Act: The Truth in Lending Act is a federal law that requires lenders to provide standardized information so that borrowers can compare loan terms. In general, lenders must provide information on Source: OCC
  • Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
  • Voir dire: The process by which judges and lawyers select a petit jury from among those eligible to serve, by questioning them to determine knowledge of the facts of the case and a willingness to decide the case only on the evidence presented in court. "Voir dire" is a phrase meaning "to speak the truth."
  • will: includes codicil. See California Civil Code 14
  • will: includes codicil. See California Penal Code 7
  • Will: includes codicil. See California Code of Civil Procedure 17
  • willfully: when applied to the intent with which an act is done or omitted, implies simply a purpose or willingness to commit the act, or make the omission referred to. See California Penal Code 7
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.
  • Writ: means an order or precept in writing, issued in the name of the people, or of a court or judicial officer. See California Code of Civil Procedure 17
  • Writing: includes printing and typewriting. See California Code of Civil Procedure 17
  • Writing: includes any form of recorded message capable of comprehension by ordinary visual means. See California Financial Code 8