Terms Used In Alabama Code > Title 16 > Chapter 24 > Article 1 - General Provisions

• Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
• Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
• circuit: means judicial circuit. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
• 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.
• COUNTY GROSS RECEIPTS TAX AREA: All of Morgan County except the area thereof lying within the corporate limits, as such are now or as such may hereafter be constituted, of the Cities of Decatur and Hartselle and the Towns of Falkville and Trinity. See Alabama Code 45-52-244
• ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS: Any applicable federal, state, or local law, rule, regulation, ordinance, order, consent decree, or order of any governmental authority now or hereinafter in effect relating to and defining hazardous materials or the protection of the environment, health, and safety of public water supply systems under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act, Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, and Occupational Safety and Health Act and any similar state or local law; provided that any such environmental law does not specifically exclude regulation at the local governmental level. See Alabama Code 45-52-251.01
• 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.
• following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
• 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}
• HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: Any hazardous or toxic material or substance defined, listed, or regulated under environmental laws and, without restricting the generality thereof, shall include oil, gas, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, and petroleum products in whatever form they may exist. See Alabama Code 45-52-251.01
• 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.
• INTAKE FACILITY: Any structure or facility by which untreated water is taken from any source water by any public water system for treatment and subsequent use or consumption by members of the public of Morgan County, for drinking or other purposes, including fire protection and sanitary sewer operations. See Alabama Code 45-52-251.01
• 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.
• Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
• month: The calendar month. See Alabama Code 45-52-244
• person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
• preceding: means next before. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
• Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.
• Probate: Proving a will
• property: includes both real and personal property. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
• PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM: Any water supply system operated by any municipality in Morgan County, or any public board, authority, or agency that provides drinking water for human consumption or other purposes to residents of Morgan County. See Alabama Code 45-52-251.01
• SOURCE WATER: Any water source, including any river or stream, from which water is drawn either periodically or continuously, by any municipality in Morgan County, which following treatment is piped for human use or consumption. See Alabama Code 45-52-251.01
• SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA: Includes the following areas in Morgan County:

  a. See Alabama Code 45-52-251.01

• 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
• STORAGE FACILITY: Includes the following:

  a. See Alabama Code 45-52-251.01

• Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
• writing: includes typewriting and printing on paper. See Alabama Code 1-1-1