Terms Used In Missouri Laws 521.120

  • Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.

In any suit on such bond, any obligor may avail himself of any setoff or counterclaim he may have against the party to whose use the suit is brought, with the same effect as if such party were the plaintiff; and if such setoff or counterclaim shall exceed in amount the damages proved in behalf of such party, judgment shall be rendered against him in favor of the defendant setting up the setoff or counterclaim for the amount of the excess and all proper costs.