Terms Used In Iowa Code 625.11

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
 When a plaintiff dismisses the action or any part thereof, or suffers it to abate by the death of the defendant or other cause, or where the action abates by the death of the plaintiff, and the plaintiff’s representatives fail to revive the same, judgment for costs may be rendered against such plaintiff or representative, and, if against a representative, shall be paid as other claims against the estate.