Unless the context clearly requires otherwise or unless different meanings are expressly specified in subsequent provisions of this article, wherever used in this article, the following terms, whether used in the singular or plural shall be given the following respective interpretations:

(1) PERSON. A human being, a public or private corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, or other entity established by law, and/or a government or a governmental instrumentality, including, but not limited to, the State of Alabama or any political subdivision thereof.

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Terms Used In Alabama Code 15-14-52

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the 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.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • 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.
  • 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: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
(2) CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Conduct which is alleged in any summons, complaint, warrant of arrest, information, presentment, or indictment and for which a sentence to a term of imprisonment, or the death penalty, or to a fine is provided by any law of this state or by any law, local law, or ordinance of a political subdivision of this state.
(3) VICTIM. A person who is a victim of the defendant‘s criminal offense.