Terms Used In Washington Code 12.04.030

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • person: may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual. See Washington Code 1.16.080
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
Any person desiring to commence an action before a justice of the peace, by the service of a complaint and notice, can do so by filing his or her complaint verified by his or her own oath or that of his or her agent or attorney with the justice, and when such complaint is so filed, upon payment of his or her fees if demanded, the justice shall attach thereto a notice, which shall be substantially as follows:
The State of Washington,
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ss.
To . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
You are hereby notified to be and appear at my office in . . . . . . on the . . . . day of . . . . . ., (year) . . . ., at the hour of . . . . M., to answer to the foregoing complaint or judgment will be taken against you as confessed and the prayer of the plaintiff granted.
Dated . . . . . ., (year) . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., J. P.
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