Terms Used In California Codes > Government Code > Title 4 > Division 3 > Part 2 > Chapter 14 > Article 1 - General

• 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.
• City: includes "city and county" and "incorporated town" but does not include "unincorporated town" or "village. See California Government Code 20
• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• Contractor: means the department, division, or other unit of a person or organization responsible for the performance under the contract. See California Government Code 8351
• 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.
• county: includes "city and county". See California Penal Code 7
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Ex officio: Literally, by virtue of one's office.
• Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
• Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
• Grantee: means the department, division, or other unit of a person or organization responsible for the performance under the grant. See California Government Code 8351
• legislative body: means board of trustees, city council, or other governing body of a city. See California Government Code 34000
• Person: includes any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, or company. See California Government Code 17
• person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See California Penal Code 7
• property: includes both real and personal property. See California Penal Code 7
• Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
• Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
• State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Government Code 18
• 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
• Subdivision: means a subdivision of the section in which the term occurs unless some other section is expressly mentioned. See California Government Code 10
• willfully: when applied to the intent with which an act is done or omitted, implies simply a purpose or willingness to commit the act, or make the omission referred to. See California Penal Code 7