Terms Used In California Codes > Streets and Highways Code > Division 1 > Chapter 1 > Article 7.5 - Loma Prieta Earthquake-Cypress Neighborhood Relief Act

• 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.
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• County: includes "city and county. See California Welfare and Institutions Code 14
• County: includes "city and county. See California Streets and Highways Code 14
• Department: means the Department of Transportation of this state. See California Streets and Highways Code 20
• Freeway: means a highway in respect to which the owners of abutting lands have no right or easement of access to or from their abutting lands or in respect to which such owners have only limited or restricted right or easement of access. See California Streets and Highways Code 23.5
• Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
• Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.