Terms Used In Florida Statutes 142.09

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • 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.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • 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.
  • person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
If the defendant is not convicted, or the prosecution is abated by the death of the defendant, or if the costs are imposed on the defendant and execution against him or her is returned no property found, or if a nolle prosse be entered, in each of these cases the fees of witnesses and officers arising from criminal causes shall be paid by the state in the manner specified in s. 40.29; provided, that when a committing trial court judge holds to bail or commits a person to answer to a criminal charge and an information is not filed or an indictment found against such person, the costs and fees of such committing trial shall not be paid by the state, except the costs of executing the warrants.