Chapter 1 Crimes, Weapons, and Law Enforcement
Chapter 2 Election Materials and Petitions
Chapter 3 Environmental Protection, Building Standards, and Safety Requirements
Chapter 4 Financial Records and Tax Records
Chapter 5 Health Care
Chapter 6 Historically or Culturally Significant Matters
Chapter 7 Library Records and Similar Matters
Chapter 8 Litigation Records and Similar Matters
Chapter 9 Miscellaneous Public Records
Chapter 10 Personal Information and Customer Records
Chapter 11 Preliminary Drafts and Similar Materials
Chapter 12 Private Industry
Chapter 13 Private Records, Privileged Materials, and Other Records Protected by Law From Disclosure
Chapter 14 Public Employee or Official
Chapter 15 Public Entity Spending, Finances, and Oversight
Chapter 16 Regulation of Financial Institutions and Securities
Chapter 17 Security Measures and Related Matters
Chapter 18 State Compensation Insurance Fund
Chapter 19 Test Materials, Test Results, and Related Matters

Terms Used In California Codes > Government Code > Title 1 > Division 10 > Part 5 - SPECIFIC TYPES OF PUBLIC RECORDS

  • Acquittal:
    1. Judgement that a criminal defendant has not been proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
    2. A verdict of "not guilty."
     
  • Advertisement: means :

    California Business and Professions Code 7590.1

  • 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.
  • Affirmed: In the practice of the appellate courts, the decree or order is declared valid and will stand as rendered in the lower court.
  • Agricultural preserve: means an area devoted to either agricultural use, as defined in subdivision (b), recreational use as defined in subdivision (n), or open-space use as defined in subdivision (o), or any combination of those uses and which is established in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. See California Government Code 51201
  • Agricultural use: means use of land, including but not limited to greenhouses, for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity for commercial purposes. See California Government Code 51201
  • Alarm agent: means a person employed by an alarm company operator whose duties, being physically conducted within the state, include selling on premises, altering, installing, maintaining, moving, repairing, replacing, servicing, responding, or monitoring an alarm system, and those ancillary devices connected to and controlled by the alarm system, including supplementary smoke detectors, or a person who manages or supervises a person employed by an alarm company to perform any of the duties described in this subdivision or any person in training for any of the duties described in this subdivision. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Alarm system: means an assembly of equipment and devices arranged to detect a hazard or signal the presence of an off-normal situation. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • 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.
  • ammunition: includes , but is not limited to, any bullet, cartridge, magazine, clip, speed loader, autoloader, ammunition feeding device, or projectile capable of being fired from a firearm with a deadly consequence. See California Penal Code 16150
  • Annuity: A periodic (usually annual) payment of a fixed sum of money for either the life of the recipient or for a fixed number of years. A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
  • 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.
  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
  • Arraignment: A proceeding in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime is brought into court, told of the charges, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • assessed value: means 25 percent of full value to, and including, the 1980-81 fiscal year, and 100 percent of full value for the 1981-82 fiscal year and fiscal years thereafter. See California Government Code 25
  • Asset forfeiture: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
  • Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
  • Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
  • Attorney-in-fact: A person who, acting as an agent, is given written authorization by another person to transact business for him (her) out of court.
  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • 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.
  • Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
  • Bequest: Property gifted by will.
  • Board: means the board of supervisors of a county which establishes or proposes to establish an agricultural preserve or which enters or proposes to enter into a contract on land within an agricultural preserve pursuant to this chapter. See California Government Code 51201
  • board: means any entity listed in Section 101, the entities referred to in Sections 1000 and 3600, the State Bar, the Department of Real Estate, and any other state agency that issues a license, certificate, or registration authorizing a person to engage in a business or profession. See California Business and Professions Code 31
  • board: means the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. See California Revenue and Taxation Code 20
  • Branch office: means any location, other than the principal place of business of the licensee, which is licensed as set forth in Article 11 (commencing with Section 7599. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Branch office manager: means an individual designated by the qualified manager to manage the licensee's branch office and who has met the requirements as set forth in Article 11 (commencing with Section 7599. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Broker: means a person engaged by others in the act of arranging, for compensation, the intrastate transportation of used household goods by a motor vehicle over the highways of this state for, or on behalf of, a shipper, a consignor, or a consignee. See California Business and Professions Code 19225.5
  • Bureau: means the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Bureau: means the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau. See California Business and Professions Code 7601
  • Bureau: refers to the Bureau of Household Goods and Services, as established in Section 9810. See California Business and Professions Code 19225.5
  • Case law: The law as laid down in cases that have been decided in the decisions of the courts.
  • Chambers: A judge's office.
  • Chief: means the Chief of the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Chief: refers to the chief of the bureau. See California Business and Professions Code 19225.5
  • Cigarette lighter: includes a device, such as a watch, that may be used to light cigarettes, cigars, and pipes even though it is primarily used for other purposes. See California Health and Safety Code 14941
  • city: means the county or city having jurisdiction over the land. See California Government Code 51201
  • City: includes "city and county" and "incorporated town" but does not include "unincorporated town" or "village. See California Government Code 20
  • City: includes city and county. See California Business and Professions Code 18
  • City: includes incorporated city, city and county, municipal corporation, municipality, town, and incorporated town. See California Revenue and Taxation Code 14
  • city: means a city governed under a freeholders' charter. See California Government Code 51540
  • Commissioner: means any county agricultural commissioner. See California Food and Agricultural Code 26
  • Committee membership: Legislators are assigned to specific committees by their party. Seniority, regional balance, and political philosophy are the most prominent factors in the committee assignment process.
  • 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.
  • Community estate: includes both community property and quasi-community property. See California Family Code 63
  • Compatible use: includes agricultural use, recreational use or open-space use unless the board or council finds after notice and hearing that the use is not compatible with the agricultural, recreational or open-space use to which the land is restricted by contract pursuant to this chapter. See California Government Code 51201
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Corporation: as used in this part and Part 5 (commencing with Section 9910), refers to corporations defined in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d). See California Corporations Code 5046
  • Corporation: includes a corporation, a company, a limited liability company, an association, and a joint stock association. See California Business and Professions Code 19225.5
  • Council: means the city council of a city which establishes or proposes to establish an agricultural preserve or which enters or proposes to enter into a contract on land within an agricultural preserve pursuant to this chapter. See California Government Code 51201
  • County: includes city and county. See California Government Code 19
  • County: includes city and county. See California Health and Safety Code 14
  • County: includes city and county. See California Business and Professions Code 17
  • county: includes "city and county". See California Penal Code 7
  • County: includes "city and county. See California Corporations Code 14
  • County: includes "city and county. See California Public Resources Code 14
  • County: includes city and county. See California Family Code 67
  • County: includes city and county. See California Revenue and Taxation Code 15
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Date of separation: means the date that a complete and final break in the marital relationship has occurred, as evidenced by both of the following:

    California Family Code 70

  • Deadly weapon: means and includes any instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as a blackjack, slungshot, billy, sandclub, sandbag, or metal knuckles. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • 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.
  • Department: means the Department of Consumer Affairs. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Department: means the Department of Consumer Affairs. See California Business and Professions Code 7601
  • department: means State Department of Health Services. See California Health and Safety Code 20
  • department: whenever used in this code , unless the context otherwise requires, means the State Department of Education. See California Education Code 89
  • Department: refers to the Department of Consumer Affairs. See California Business and Professions Code 19225.5
  • Department: as used in this division , means the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. See California Health and Safety Code 11998.2
  • Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
  • Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
  • Development: means , as used in Section 51223, the construction of buildings or the use of the restricted property if the buildings or use are unrelated to the agricultural use, the open-space use, or uses compatible with either agricultural or open-space uses of the property, or substantially impair the agricultural, open-space, or a combination of the agricultural and open-space uses of the property. See California Government Code 51201
  • Devise: To gift property by will.
  • Director: means the Director of Consumer Affairs. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • director: means the Director of the Office of Administrative Hearings. See California Business and Professions Code 19215
  • Director: means the Director of Consumer Affairs. See California Business and Professions Code 7601
  • Director: means "State Director of Health Services. See California Health and Safety Code 21
  • Director: refers to the Director of Consumer Affairs. See California Business and Professions Code 19225.5
  • directors: means natural persons, designated in the articles or bylaws or elected by the incorporators, and their successors and natural persons designated, elected, or appointed by any other name or title to act as members of the governing body of the corporation. See California Corporations Code 5047
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
  • Electronic funds transfer: The transfer of money between accounts by consumer electronic systems-such as automated teller machines (ATMs) and electronic payment of bills-rather than by check or cash. (Wire transfers, checks, drafts, and paper instruments do not fall into this category.) Source: OCC
  • Electronic transmission by the corporation: means a communication (a) delivered by (1) facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, for that recipient on record with the corporation, (2) posting on an electronic message board or network which the corporation has designated for those communications, together with a separate notice to the recipient of the posting, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the later of the posting or delivery of the separate notice thereof, or (3) other means of electronic communication, (b) to a recipient who has provided an unrevoked consent to the use of those means of transmission for communications under or pursuant to this code, and (c) that creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form. See California Corporations Code 20
  • Electronic transmission to the corporation: means a communication (a) delivered by (1) facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, which the corporation has provided from time to time to shareholders or members and directors for sending communications to the corporation, (2) posting on an electronic message board or network which the corporation has designated for those communications, and which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the posting, or (3) other means of electronic communication, (b) as to which the corporation has placed in effect reasonable measures to verify that the sender is the shareholder or member (in person or by proxy) or director purporting to send the transmission, and (c) that creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form. See California Corporations Code 21
  • Employee: means an individual who works for an employer, is listed on the employer's payroll records, and is under the employer's direction and control. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Employer: means a person who employs an individual for wages or salary, lists the individual on the employer's payroll records, and withholds all legally required deductions and contributions. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Enrolled bill: The final copy of a bill or joint resolution which has passed both chambers in identical form. It is printed on parchment paper, signed by appropriate officials, and submitted to the President/Governor for signature.
  • Entitlement: A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.
  • environment: means the aggregate of all factors that influence the conditions of life in or about the state or within any portion thereof, and which are affected by the use of pesticides or related materials within the state. See California Food and Agricultural Code 14101
  • 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.
  • Ex officio: Literally, by virtue of one's office.
  • executed: when used with respect to the documents filed pursuant to this code or pursuant to regulations adopted under this code, and presented to the Secretary of State, include a document bearing a signature under subdivision (a). See California Corporations Code 17.1
  • executive officer of the board: means the director of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for those duties, powers, and responsibilities transferred to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration pursuant to §. See California Revenue and Taxation Code 20.5
  • Executive session: A portion of the Senate's daily session in which it considers executive business.
  • 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.
  • Fair market value: The price at which an asset would change hands in a transaction between a willing, informed buyer and a willing, informed seller.
  • Fee simple: Absolute title to property with no limitations or restrictions regarding the person who may inherit it.
  • Fiduciary: A trustee, executor, or administrator.
  • firearm: includes the frame or receiver of the weapon, including both a completed frame or receiver, or a firearm precursor part:

    California Penal Code 16520

  • Firearm permit: means and includes "firearms permit" "firearms qualification card" "firearms qualification" and "firearms qualification permit. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Firearms permit: means a permit issued by the bureau, pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 7596), to a licensee, a qualified manager, or an alarm agent, to carry an exposed firearm while on duty. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • 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.
  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • Fund: means the Tobacco Settlement Fund. See California Health and Safety Code 104896
  • Fund: means the Household Goods and Services Fund established pursuant to Section 9870. See California Business and Professions Code 19225.5
  • garbage: means any waste which consists in whole or in part of any animal waste that results from the handling, preparing, cooking, and consuming of food, including the offal from any animal carcass or from any part of an animal carcass. See California Food and Agricultural Code 10901
  • Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
  • Governing board: means board of school trustees, community college board of trustees, and city, and city and county board of education. See California Education Code 78
  • Grantor: The person who establishes a trust and places property into it.
  • 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.
  • handgun: means any pistol, revolver, or firearm capable of being concealed upon the person. See California Penal Code 16640
  • Household mover: includes every corporation or person, their lessees, trustee, receivers, or trustees appointed by any court whatsoever, engaged in the permitted or unpermitted transportation for compensation or hire as a business by means of a motor vehicle or motor vehicles being used in the transportation of used household goods and personal effects over any public highway in this state. See California Business and Professions Code 19225.5
  • Income and expense declaration: means the form for an income and expense declaration in family law matters adopted by the Judicial Council. See California Family Code 95
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • Inspector: refers to an inspector either employed by, or under contract to, the bureau. See California Business and Professions Code 19225.5
  • Interest rate: The amount paid by a borrower to a lender in exchange for the use of the lender's money for a certain period of time. Interest is paid on loans or on debt instruments, such as notes or bonds, either at regular intervals or as part of a lump sum payment when the issue matures. Source: OCC
  • Joint tenancy: A form of property ownership in which two or more parties hold an undivided interest in the same property that was conveyed under the same instrument at the same time. A joint tenant can sell his (her) interest but not dispose of it by will. Upon the death of a joint tenant, his (her) undivided interest is distributed among the surviving joint tenants.
  • knowingly: import s only a knowledge that the facts exist which bring the act or omission within the provisions of this code. See California Penal Code 7
  • 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
  • legislative body: means the city council or board of trustees in the case of a city, the board of supervisors in the case of a county or a city and county, or the board of directors, trustees, or governors or other governing body in the case of a special district or any other municipal or public corporation or district. See California Government Code 54706
  • Legislative body: as used in this division , means board of supervisors in the case of a county or city and county, and city council or board of trustees in the case of a city, unless the context otherwise requires. See California Government Code 50002
  • Legislative session: That part of a chamber's daily session in which it considers legislative business (bills, resolutions, and actions related thereto).
  • Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
  • license: means license, certificate, registration, or other means to engage in a business or profession regulated by this code or referred to in Section 1000 or 3600. See California Business and Professions Code 23.7
  • license: shall include a permit or a certificate issued by a state agency. See California Penal Code 23
  • Licensee: means a business entity, whether an individual, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation licensed under this chapter. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Licensee: means any person authorized by a license, certificate, registration, or other means to engage in a business or profession regulated by this code or referred to in Sections 1000 and 3600. See California Business and Professions Code 23.8
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
  • local agency: means any city, county, city and county, special district, or any other municipal corporation or district. See California Government Code 54705
  • Local agency: as used in this division means county, city, or city and county, unless the context otherwise requires. See California Government Code 50001
  • locked container: means a secure container that is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, keylock, combination lock, or similar locking device. See California Penal Code 16850
  • Manager: means an individual designated under an operating agreement of a manager-managed limited liability company who is responsible for performing the management functions for the limited liability company specified in subdivision (c) of §. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Master Settlement Agreement: means the settlement agreement and related documents entered into on November 23, 1998, by the state and leading United States tobacco product manufacturers. See California Health and Safety Code 104896
  • Member: means an individual who is a member of a limited liability company as defined in subdivision (p) of §. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
  • Mortgagee: The person to whom property is mortgaged and who has loaned the money.
  • Motor vehicle: means every motor truck, tractor, or other self-propelled vehicle used for transportation of property over the public highways, other than upon fixed rails or tracks, and any trailer, semitrailer, dolly, or other vehicle drawn thereby. See California Business and Professions Code 19225.5
  • 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.
  • nonresident: means a person who is not a resident of this State at the time he or she engages in business in the State as described in Section 19215. See California Business and Professions Code 19215.8
  • 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.
  • Operate: means the ability to cause a cigarette lighter to ignite. See California Health and Safety Code 14941
  • Oral argument: An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to answer the judges' questions.
  • order: include a decree, as appropriate under the circumstances. See California Family Code 100
  • Outlays: Outlays are payments made (generally through the issuance of checks or disbursement of cash) to liquidate obligations. Outlays during a fiscal year may be for payment of obligations incurred in prior years or in the same year.
  • 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.
  • partnership: shall include limited liability company, registered limited liability partnership, and foreign limited liability partnership, except where the context or the specific provisions of this division otherwise require. See California Revenue and Taxation Code 28.5
  • peace officer: signify any one of the officers mentioned in Chapter 4. See California Penal Code 7
  • Person: includes any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, or company. See California Government Code 17
  • Person: means any individual, firm, company, association, organization, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Person: means any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, business trust, corporation, limited liability company, or company. See California Health and Safety Code 19
  • person: includes any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or association. See California Government Code 7920.520
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See California Penal Code 7
  • Person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See California Corporations Code 18
  • Person: includes a natural person, firm, association, organization, partnership, business trust, corporation, limited liability company, or public entity. See California Family Code 105
  • Person: includes any person, firm, partnership, general partner of a partnership, limited liability company, registered limited liability partnership, foreign limited liability partnership, association, corporation, company, syndicate, estate, trust, business trust, or organization of any kind. See California Revenue and Taxation Code 19
  • Person: includes an individual, a firm, or a partnership. See California Business and Professions Code 19225.5
  • Person: means any individual, partnership, association, corporation, limited liability company, or any organized group of persons whether incorporated or not. See California Food and Agricultural Code 38
  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • petition: means any petition to which a registered voter has affixed the voter's own signature. See California Government Code 7924.100
  • Petitioner: includes plaintiff, where appropriate. See California Family Code 126
  • 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.
  • Plea agreement: An arrangement between the prosecutor, the defense attorney, and the defendant in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for special considerations. Source:
  • Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. Source: OCC
  • Precedent: A court decision in an earlier case with facts and law similar to a dispute currently before a court. Precedent will ordinarily govern the decision of a later similar case, unless a party can show that it was wrongly decided or that it differed in some significant way.
  • Preliminary hearing: A hearing where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to make the defendant have a trial.
  • Prime agricultural land: means any of the following:

    California Government Code 51201

  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
  • Probate: Proving a will
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Probation officers: Screen applicants for pretrial release and monitor convicted offenders released under court supervision.
  • Proceeding: includes an action. See California Family Code 110
  • Process: includes a writ or summons issued in the course of judicial proceedings of either a civil or criminal nature. See California Government Code 22
  • prohibited area: means any place where it is unlawful to discharge a weapon. See California Penal Code 17030
  • property: includes property real and personal. See California Civil Code 14
  • property: includes both real and personal property. See California Penal Code 7
  • Property: includes real and personal property and any interest therein. See California Family Code 113
  • proponent of the petition: means the following:

    California Government Code 7924.105

  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
  • public agency: means any state or local agency. See California Government Code 7920.525
  • Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
  • Public highway: includes every public street, road, or highway in this state. See California Business and Professions Code 19225.5
  • public improvement: means facilities or interests in real property, including easements, rights-of-way, and interests in fee title, owned by a public agency or person, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 51291. See California Government Code 51290.5
  • Public law: A public bill or joint resolution that has passed both chambers and been enacted into law. Public laws have general applicability nationwide.
  • public records: includes any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics. See California Government Code 7920.530
  • Qualified manager: means an individual who is in active control, management, and direction of the licensee's business, and who is in possession of a current and valid qualified manager's certificate pursuant to this chapter. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • Quasi-community property: means all real or personal property, wherever situated, acquired before or after the operative date of this code in any of the following ways:

    California Family Code 125

  • 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.
  • 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
  • Registrant: means any person registered or who has applied for registration under this chapter. See California Business and Professions Code 7590.1
  • 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.
  • Rescission: The cancellation of budget authority previously provided by Congress. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 specifies that the President may propose to Congress that funds be rescinded. If both Houses have not approved a rescission proposal (by passing legislation) within 45 days of continuous session, any funds being withheld must be made available for obligation.
  • Respondent: includes defendant, where appropriate. See California Family Code 127
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • returned: means presented to the appropriate person in person, or postmarked, before the expiration of the specified time period. See California Family Code 359
  • safety: is a utomatically applied by the pistol, this feature shall not be defeated. See California Penal Code 31900
  • scenic highway corridor: is a n area adjacent to, and within view of, the right-of-way of:

    California Government Code 51201

  • Secretary: means the Secretary of Food and Agriculture. See California Food and Agricultural Code 35
  • Sell: includes offer for sale, expose for sale, possess for sale, exchange, barter, or trade. See California Food and Agricultural Code 44
  • service: includes the cost of maintaining any facility used to provide any service. See California Government Code 54708
  • 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.
  • Signature: includes mark when the signer cannot write, such signer's name being written near the mark by a witness who writes his own name near the signer's name. See California Corporations Code 17
  • Sole ownership: The type of property ownership in which one individual holds legal title to the property and has full control of it.
  • Special design: means a design of a cigarette lighter that results in the cigarette lighter being significantly difficult for children under five years of age to operate. See California Health and Safety Code 14941
  • Spousal support: means support of the spouse of the obligor. See California Family Code 142
  • Spouse: includes "registered domestic partner" as required by §. See California Health and Safety Code 12.2
  • spouse: includes "registered domestic partner" as required by §. See California Penal Code 7
  • Spouse: includes "registered domestic partner" as required by §. See California Revenue and Taxation Code 12.2
  • Spouse: includes "registered domestic partner" as required by Section 297. See California Family Code 143
  • Spouse: includes "registered domestic partner" as required by §. See California Government Code 12.2
  • State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Government Code 18
  • State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Health and Safety Code 23
  • State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Education Code 77
  • State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Business and Professions Code 21
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the district and territories. See California Penal Code 7
  • State: means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, or a commonwealth, territory, or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. See California Family Code 145
  • state agency: means every state office, officer, department, division, bureau, board, and commission or other state body or agency, except those agencies provided for in Article IV (except Section 20 thereof) or Article VI of the California Constitution. See California Government Code 7920.540
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.
  • Subdivision: means a subdivision of the section in which that term occurs, unless some other section is expressly mentioned. See California Business and Professions Code 15
  • Subdivision: means a subdivision of the section in which the term occurs unless some other section is expressly mentioned. See California Government Code 10
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Support: refers to a support obligation owing on behalf of a child, spouse, or family, or an amount owing pursuant to Section 17402. See California Family Code 150
  • Support order: means a judgment or order of support in favor of an obligee, whether temporary or final, or subject to modification, termination, or remission, regardless of the kind of action or proceeding in which it is entered. See California Family Code 155
  • 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.
  • Tenancy by the entirety: A type of joint tenancy between husband and wife that is recognized in some States. Neither party can sever the joint tenancy relationship; when a spouse dies, the survivor acquires full title to the property.
  • Tenancy in common: A type of property ownership in which two or more individuals have an undivided interest in property. At the death of one tenant in common, his (her) fractional percentage of ownership in the property passes to the decedent
  • 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.
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
  • Variable Rate: Having a "variable" rate means that the APR changes from time to time based on fluctuations in an external rate, normally the Prime Rate. This external rate is known as the "index." If the index changes, the variable rate normally changes. Also see Fixed Rate.
  • Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
  • wholesaler: means any person who is licensed as a dealer pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto, who sells, transfers, or assigns firearms, or parts of firearms, to persons who are licensed as manufacturers, importers, or gunsmiths pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code, or persons licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive, and includes persons who receive finished parts of firearms and assemble them into completed or partially completed firearms in furtherance of that purpose. See California Penal Code 17340
  • wildlife habitat area: is a land or water area designated by a board or council, after consulting with and considering the recommendation of the Department of Fish and Game, as an area of importance for the protection or enhancement of the wildlife resources of the state. See California Government Code 51201
  • will: includes codicil. See California Civil Code 14
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.
  • writing: means any handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostating, photographing, photocopying, transmitting by electronic mail or facsimile, and every other means of recording upon any tangible thing any form of communication or representation, including letters, words, pictures, sounds, or symbols, or combinations thereof, and any record thereby created, regardless of the manner in which the record has been stored. See California Government Code 7920.545