Terms Used In California Codes > Public Utilities Code > Division 10 > Part 4 > Chapter 1 > Article 2 - General Provisions

• 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 Penal Code 7
• County: includes city and county. See California Public Utilities Code 18
• 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
• 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.
• magistrate: signifies any one of the officers mentioned in Section 808. See California Penal Code 7
• 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
• Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
• 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
• 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