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Terms Used In Florida Statutes 617.2003

  • Articles of incorporation: includes original, amended, and restated articles of incorporation, articles of consolidation, and articles of merger, and all amendments thereto, including documents designated by the laws of this state as charters, and, in the case of a foreign corporation, documents equivalent to articles of incorporation in the jurisdiction of incorporation. See Florida Statutes 617.01401
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Department: means the Department of State. See Florida Statutes 617.01401
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • 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.
  • Member: means one having membership rights in a corporation in accordance with the provisions of its articles of incorporation or bylaws or the provisions of this chapter. See Florida Statutes 617.01401
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
If any member or citizen complains to the Department of Legal Affairs that any corporation organized under this act was organized or is being used as a cover to evade any of the laws against crime, or for purposes inconsistent with those stated in its articles of incorporation or charter, or that an officer or director of a corporation has participated in a sale or transaction that is affected by a conflict of interest or from which he or she derived an improper personal benefit, either directly or indirectly, and shall submit prima facie evidence to sustain such charge, together with sufficient money to cover court costs and expenses, the department shall institute and in due course prosecute to final judgment such legal or equitable proceedings as may be considered advisable either to revoke the articles of incorporation or charter, to prevent its improper use, or to recover on behalf of the corporation or its unknown beneficiaries any profits improperly received by the corporation or its officers or directors.