Terms Used In California Codes > Public Utilities Code > Division 10 > Part 2 > Chapter 9 > Article 7 - Annexation of Land Owned Solely by District

• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• County: includes city and county. See California Public Utilities Code 18
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. ^Source:
• 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.
• magistrate: signifies any one of the officers mentioned in Section 808. See California Penal Code 7
• person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See California Penal Code 7
• 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.
• Preliminary hearing: A hearing where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to make the defendant have a trial.
• Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.