Terms Used In Michigan Laws 768.31

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • 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.
  • Indictment: means 1 or more of the following:
  (i) An indictment. See Michigan Laws 761.1
  • 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.
  •    Whenever 2 or more persons shall be included in the same indictment and it shall appear that there is not sufficient evidence to put any defendant on his defense, it shall be the duty of the court to order such defendant to be discharged from such indictment, before the evidence shall be deemed to be closed.