Terms Used In Indiana Code > Title 36 > Article 8 > Chapter 3.5 - Police and Fire Merit Systems

• 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.
• 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.
• Clerk: means the clerk of the court or a person authorized to perform the clerk's duties. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
• commission: refers to the merit commission for a merit system established under this chapter. See Indiana Code 36-8-3.5-0.2
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• department: refers to :

  Indiana Code 36-8-3.5-0.3

• Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. ^Source:
• district: refers to a fire protection district established under IC 36-8-11. See Indiana Code 36-8-3.5-0.4
• 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.
• governing board: refers to the following:

  Indiana Code 36-8-3.5-0.5

• in writing: include printing, lithographing, or other mode of representing words and letters. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
• Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
• Oath: includes "affirmation" and "to swear" includes to "affirm". See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
• 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.
• Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
• Population: has the meaning set forth in Ind. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
• Probate: Proving a will
• Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
• 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.
• Sheriff: means the sheriff of the county or another person authorized to perform sheriff's duties. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
• Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
• territory: refers to a fire protection territory established under IC 36-8-19. See Indiana Code 36-8-3.5-0.6
• Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
• 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.
• United States: includes the District of Columbia and the commonwealths, possessions, states in free association with the United States, and the territories. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
• Uphold: The decision of an appellate court not to reverse a lower court decision.
• Verified: when applied to pleadings, means supported by oath or affirmation in writing. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
• Year: means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5