Article 1 Definitions
Article 2 General Provisions

Terms Used In California Codes > Public Utilities Code > Division 10 > Part 4 > Chapter 1 - General Provisions

  • 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.
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • 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.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • County: includes city and county. See California Water Code 14
  • county: includes "city and county". See California Penal Code 7
  • County: includes city and county. See California Public Utilities Code 18
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
  • Donor: The person who makes a gift.
  • 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.
  • Executive authority: means the Governor or any person performing the functions of Governor in a State other than this State. See California Penal Code 1548
  • Extradition: The formal process of delivering an accused or convicted person from authorities in one state to authorities in another state.
  • Governor: means any person performing the functions of Governor by authority of the law of this State. See California Penal Code 1548
  • 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.
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • magistrate: signifies any one of the officers mentioned in Section 808. See California Penal Code 7
  • maliciously: import a wish to vex, annoy, or injure another person, or an intent to do a wrongful act, established either by proof or presumption of law. See California Penal Code 7
  • Municipality: includes counties. See California Public Utilities Code 6351
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • peace officer: signify any one of the officers mentioned in Chapter 4. See California Penal Code 7
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See California Penal Code 7
  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • 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.
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • property: includes property real and personal. See California Civil Code 14
  • property: includes both real and personal property. See California Penal Code 7
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
  • Remand: When an appellate court sends a case back to a lower court for further proceedings.
  • seal: includes an impression of such seal upon the paper alone, or upon any substance attached to the paper capable of receiving a visible impression. See California Penal Code 7
  • 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 the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Public Utilities Code 17
  • Surcharge: means a municipal surcharge for the use of public lands by a transportation customer as defined in subdivision (c). See California Public Utilities Code 6351
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
  • 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
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.
  • writ: signifies an order or precept in writing, issued in the name of the people, or of a court or judicial officer, and the word "process" a writ or summons issued in the course of judicial proceedings. See California Penal Code 7