Terms Used In Florida Statutes 215.06

  • 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.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
In every case of delinquency, where suit has been or shall be instituted, the certified statement provided for in s. 215.05, shall be admitted as evidence and shall be prima facie proof of the facts therein stated. All copies of bonds, contracts, or other papers relating to or connected with the settlement of any account between the state and an individual, when certified as aforesaid to be true copies of the original, may be annexed to such statement aforesaid, and shall have equal validity and be entitled to the same degree of credit which would be due to the original papers if produced and authenticated in court; provided, where suit is brought upon a bond or other sealed instrument, and the defendant shall plead non est factum, or upon motion to the court, such plea or motion being verified by the oath of the defendant, it is lawful for the court to take the same into consideration, and, if it shall appear necessary for the attainment of justice, to require the production of the original bond, contract, or other paper specified in such affidavit.