Terms Used In Indiana Code > Title 33 > Article 38 > Chapter 14 - The Commission on Judicial Qualifications and the Discipline of Judges of Superior, Probate, Juvenile, and Criminal Courts

• 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.
• Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
• Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
• Chambers: A judge's office.
• 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: means the commission on judicial qualifications described in Article 7, Section 9 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. See Indiana Code 33-38-14-2
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• counsel: means the lawyer designated by the commission to:

  Indiana Code 33-38-14-3

• Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• judge: means a judge of a superior or probate court. See Indiana Code 33-38-14-4
• Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
• mail: includes ordinary mail or personal delivery. See Indiana Code 33-38-14-5
• masters: means the special masters appointed by the chief justice upon request of the commission. See Indiana Code 33-38-14-6
• Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
• presiding master: means the master so designated by the chief justice or, in the absence of a designation, the justice or judge named in the order appointing masters. See Indiana Code 33-38-14-7
• Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
• Probate: Proving a will
• Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
• Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
• Testify: Answer questions in court.
• Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
• Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
• United States: includes the District of Columbia and the commonwealths, possessions, states in free association with the United States, and the territories. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
• Verified: when applied to pleadings, means supported by oath or affirmation in writing. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5