Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes > Chapter 1 > Article 43 - Nuisance and Other Wrongs

• 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.
• 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.
• Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
• Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
• 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.
• Architect: A person who is duly licensed to practice architecture. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• Architect Emeritus: A person who has been duly licensed as an architect by the Board and who chooses to relinquish or not to renew a license to practice architecture and who applies to and is approved by the Board after review of record, including any disciplinary action, to be granted the use of the honorific title "Architect Emeritus. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• Architectural firm: A professional corporation certified by the Board as meeting the requirements under this Chapter for registration for the practice of architecture. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
• Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
• Attorney General: means the Attorney General of North Carolina or any employee of the Department of Justice designated by him in writing. See North Carolina General Statutes 75D-3
• Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
• Beneficial interest: means either of the following:

  a. See North Carolina General Statutes 75D-3

• Board: The North Carolina Board of Architecture and Registered Interior Designers. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• Breach of the peace: means repeated acts that disturb the public order including, but not limited to, homicide, assault, affray, communicating threats, unlawful possession of dangerous or deadly weapons, and discharging firearms. See North Carolina General Statutes 19-1.1
• CIDQ: The Council for Interior Design Qualification. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• Civil proceeding: means any civil proceeding commenced by the Attorney General or an injured person under any provision of this Chapter. See North Carolina General Statutes 75D-3
• Clerk of court: An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in overseeing the court's administration, especially to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records.
• Commission: means the North Carolina State Lottery Commission. See North Carolina General Statutes 18C-103
• 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.
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
• Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
• Decedent: A deceased person.
• 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.
• 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:
• Embezzlement: In most states, embezzlement is defined as theft/larceny of assets (money or property) by a person in a position of trust or responsibility over those assets. Embezzlement typically occurs in the employment and corporate settings. ^{Source: OCC}
• Enterprise: means any person, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, business trust, union chartered under the laws of this State, or other legal entity; or any unchartered union, association, or group of individuals associated in fact although not a legal entity; and it includes illicit as well as licit enterprises and governmental as well as other entities. See North Carolina General Statutes 75D-3
• 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.
• Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
• Extradition: The formal process of delivering an accused or convicted person from authorities in one state to authorities in another state.
• Fiduciary: A trustee, executor, or administrator.
• Firm certificate: A certificate of firm registration issued by the Board recognizing the firm named in the certificate as meeting the requirements for the firm practice of architecture or interior design. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• Firm practice of architecture: "Practice of architecture" as defined in N. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• Firm practice of interior design: "Practice of interior design" as defined in subdivision (8) of this section by a registered interior design firm organized or domesticated in this State that holds a current firm certificate from this Board. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• 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.
• following: when used by way of reference to any section of a statute, shall be construed to mean the section next preceding or next following that in which such reference is made; unless when some other section is expressly designated in such reference. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
• Foreclosure: A legal process in which property that is collateral or security for a loan may be sold to help repay the loan when the loan is in default. ^{Source: OCC}
• Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
• Good moral character: Character as tends to assure the faithful discharge of the fiduciary duties of an architect or registered interior designer to his or her client. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• Guarantor: A party who agrees to be responsible for the payment of another party's debts should that party default. ^{Source: OCC}
• 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.
• in writing: may be construed to include printing, engraving, lithographing, and any other mode of representing words and letters: Provided, that in all cases where a written signature is required by law, the same shall be in a proper handwriting, or in a proper mark. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
• 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}
• Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
• Interior design: Includes, but is not limited to, the preparation of reflected ceiling plans, space planning, creation or alteration of paths of egress, occupancy calculations, provided no increases in occupancy or number of exits is required, selection of furnishings, and the fabrication of nonstructural elements within and surrounding interior spaces of buildings. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• 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.
• 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}
• Lewd matter: is synonymous with "obscene matter" and means any matter:

  North Carolina General Statutes 19-1.1

• 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.
• Nonstructural element: An element of a building or structure which does not require structural bracing and is not one or more of the following:

  a. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1

• oath: shall be construed to include "affirmation" in all cases where by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in like cases the word "sworn" shall be construed to include the word "affirmed. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
• Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
• 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.
• 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.
• Person: means any individual, partnership, firm, association, corporation, or other legal entity. See North Carolina General Statutes 19-1.1
• Person: includes "entity" (as that term is defined in N. See North Carolina General Statutes 75E-1
• Personal property: All property that is not real property.
• personal property: shall include moneys, goods, chattels, choses in action and evidences of debt, including all things capable of ownership, not descendable to heirs at law. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
• Place: includes , but is not limited to, any building, structure or places, or any separate part or portion thereof, whether permanent or not, or the ground itself. See North Carolina General Statutes 19-1.1
• 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.
• Practice of architecture: Performing or offering to perform or holding oneself out as legally qualified to perform professional services in connection with the design, construction, enlargement or alteration of buildings, including consultations, investigations, evaluations, preliminary studies, the preparation of plans, specifications and contract documents, administration of construction contracts and related services or combination of services in connection with the design and construction of buildings, regardless of whether these services are performed in person or as the directing head of an office or organization. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• Practice of interior design: The preparation of working drawings and documents relative to interior construction, materials, finishes, space planning, furnishings, fixtures, and equipment as defined in subdivision (5a) of this section. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• President pro tempore: A constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President. The President Pro Tempore (or, "president for a time") is elected by the Senate and is, by custom, the Senator of the majority party with the longest record of continuous service.
• Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
• Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
• property: shall include all property, both real and personal. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
• Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
• Prostitution: means offering in any manner or receiving of the body in return for a fee, for acts of vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, fellatio, cunnilingus, masturbation, or physical contact with a person's genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or breasts, or other acts of sexual conduct offered or received for pay and sexual gratification. See North Carolina General Statutes 19-1.1
• Publication: shall include any book, magazine, pamphlet, illustration, photograph, picture, sound recording, or a motion picture film which is offered for sale or exhibited in a coin-operated machine. See North Carolina General Statutes 19-1.1
• 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.
• Real property: means any real property situated in this State or any interest in such real property, including, but not limited to, any lease of or mortgage upon such real property. See North Carolina General Statutes 75D-3
• 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}
• Reflected ceiling plan: A ceiling design plan which is laid out as if it were projected downward and which may include lighting and other elements. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• Registered interior design firm: A business corporation certified by the Board as meeting the requirements for registration under this Chapter for the practice of interior design. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• Registered interior designer: A person who is duly registered and who is qualified by education, experience, and examination to engage in the practice of interior design as authorized by the Board. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• Registration: A certificate of registration issued by the Board recognizing the individual or firm named in the certificate as meeting the requirements for registration under this Chapter. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• 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.
• Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
• RICO lien notice: means the notice described in N. See North Carolina General Statutes 75D-3
• Sale of obscene or lewd matter: means a passing of title or right of possession from a seller to a buyer for valuable consideration, and shall include, but is not limited to, any lease or rental arrangement or other transaction wherein or whereby any valuable consideration is received for the use of, or transfer or possession of, lewd matter. See North Carolina General Statutes 19-1.1
• seal: shall be construed to include an impression of such official seal, made upon the paper alone, as well as an impression made by means of a wafer or of wax affixed thereto. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
• 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.
• Space planning: The analysis, programming, or design of spatial requirements, including preliminary space layouts and final planning. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
• state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
• Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
• 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.
• Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
• Ticket: means any tangible evidence authorized by the Commission to demonstrate participation in a lottery game. See North Carolina General Statutes 18C-103
• Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
• Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
• Trustee: means either of the following:

  a. See North Carolina General Statutes 75D-3

• United States: shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
• Uphold: The decision of an appellate court not to reverse a lower court decision.
• Used for profit: shall mean any use of real or personal property to produce income in any manner, including, but not limited to, any commercial or business activities, or selling, leasing, or otherwise providing goods and services for profit. See North Carolina General Statutes 19-1.1
• Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
• Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.