Terms Used In Indiana Code > Title 1 > Article 2 - State Emblems

• advisory group: refers to the legislative state of emergency advisory group established by section 11 of this chapter. See Indiana Code 2-2.1-1.2-1
• 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.
• agency: refers to the legislative services agency established by Ind. See Indiana Code 2-2.2-4-1
• Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
• Annuity: A periodic (usually annual) payment of a fixed sum of money for either the life of the recipient or for a fixed number of years. A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
• Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
• Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
• Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
• Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. ^{Source: OCC}
• body: refers to either of the following:

  Indiana Code 2-2.1-4-2

• Caucus: From the Algonquian Indian language, a caucus meant "to meet together." An informal organization of members of the legislature that exists to discuss issues of mutual concern and possibly to perform legislative research and policy planning for its members. There are regional, political or ideological, ethnic, and economic-based caucuses.
• chamber: refers to either of the following:

  Indiana Code 2-2.1-4-3

• Chief judge: The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court but also decides cases; chief judges are determined by seniority.
• Clerk: means the clerk of the court or a person authorized to perform the clerk's duties. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
• commission: refers to the Indiana arts commission established by Ind. See Indiana Code 1-2-12-1
• commission: refers to the Indiana uniform law commission established by section 2 of this chapter. See Indiana Code 2-5-35-1
• Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• council: refers to the youth advisory council established by section 2 of this chapter. See Indiana Code 2-5-29-1
• Cross examine: Questioning of a witness by the attorney for the other side.
• Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
• Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
• Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. ^Source:
• 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.
• Ex officio: Literally, by virtue of one's office.
• executive director: refers to the executive director of the agency employed under Ind. See Indiana Code 2-2.2-4-2
• Executive session: A portion of the Senate's daily session in which it considers executive business.
• Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
• Fair market value: The price at which an asset would change hands in a transaction between a willing, informed buyer and a willing, informed seller.
• final day of session: means :

  Indiana Code 2-2.1-4-4

• Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
• 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.
• in writing: include printing, lithographing, or other mode of representing words and letters. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
• interim: refers to the following:

  Indiana Code 2-5-1.3-1

• Judgment: means all final orders, decrees, and determinations in an action and all orders upon which executions may issue. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
• Legacy: A gift of property made by will.
• legislative council: refers to the legislative council created under Ind. See Indiana Code 2-2.1-1.2-3
• legislative council: refers to the legislative council established by Ind. See Indiana Code 2-2.2-4-3
• Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
• Majority leader: see Floor Leaders
• member: refers to either of the following:

  Indiana Code 2-2.1-4-5

• Minority leader: See Floor Leaders
• office: refers to the office of legislative ethics established by section 5 of this chapter. See Indiana Code 2-2.2-4-4
• Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
• Population: has the meaning set forth in Ind. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
• President pro tempore: A constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President. The President Pro Tempore (or, "president for a time") is elected by the Senate and is, by custom, the Senator of the majority party with the longest record of continuous service.
• presiding officer: refers to the following:

  Indiana Code 2-2.1-4-6

• Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.
• Probate: Proving a will
• Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
• Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
• Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
• Quorum call: A call of the roll to establish whether a quorum is present. If any legislator "suggests the absence of a quorum," the presiding officer must direct the roll to be called.
• records: means any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, card, tape recording, or other material that is created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with the advisory group and which is generated on paper, paper substitutes, photographic media, chemically based media, magnetic or machine readable media, electronically stored data, or any other material, regardless of form or characteristics. See Indiana Code 2-2.1-1.2-5
• Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
• selection committee: refers to the committee described in section 4 of this chapter. See Indiana Code 1-2-12-2
• standing committee: means the following:

  Indiana Code 2-5-1.3-2

• state of emergency: refers to an emergency declared by the governor under Ind. See Indiana Code 2-2.1-1.2-6
• study committee: means an interim study committee established by section 4 of this chapter. See Indiana Code 2-5-1.3-3
• task force: refers to the 21st century energy policy development task force established by section 2 of this chapter. See Indiana Code 2-5-45.1-1
• task force: refers to the health care cost oversight task force established by section 4 of this chapter. See Indiana Code 2-5-47-2
• Testify: Answer questions in court.
• Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
• Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
• Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
• Verified: when applied to pleadings, means supported by oath or affirmation in writing. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
• Veto: The procedure established under the Constitution by which the President/Governor refuses to approve a bill or joint resolution and thus prevents its enactment into law. A regular veto occurs when the President/Governor returns the legislation to the house in which it originated. The President/Governor usually returns a vetoed bill with a message indicating his reasons for rejecting the measure. In Congress, the veto can be overridden only by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House.
• workforce related program: has the meaning set forth in Ind. See Indiana Code 2-5-42.4-1