Terms Used In Louisiana Codes > Civil Code > PRELIMINARY TITLE > Title XXIV > Chapter 4 > Section 3 - Five Year Prescription

• Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• 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.
• Legal custody: means a legal status created by court order that vests in a custodian the right to have physical custody of the child and the right and duty to protect, train, and discipline and to provide food, shelter, education, and ordinary medical care, all subject to any residual parental rights and responsibilities. See Louisiana Children's Code 1511
• Physical custody: means the duty and authority to provide care for a child in the home of the custodian. See Louisiana Children's Code 1511
• Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
• Rescission: The cancellation of budget authority previously provided by Congress. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 specifies that the President may propose to Congress that funds be rescinded. If both Houses have not approved a rescission proposal (by passing legislation) within 45 days of continuous session, any funds being withheld must be made available for obligation.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
• Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.