Terms Used In Louisiana Codes > Children's Code > Title VII > Chapter 2 - Persons Subject to Proceedings; Grounds; Complaint

• Caretaker: means any person providing a residence for the child or any person legally obligated to provide or secure adequate care for the child, including a parent, tutor, guardian, or legal custodian. See Louisiana Children's Code 728
• Child: means a person under eighteen years of age who, prior to proceedings under this Title, has not been judicially emancipated or emancipated by marriage. See Louisiana Children's Code 728
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. ^Source:
• Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
• Juror: A person who is on the jury.
• Petit jury: A group of citizens who hear the evidence presented by both sides at trial and determine the facts in dispute. Federal criminal juries consist of 12 persons. Federal civil juries consist of six persons.
• Runaway: means the continued absence of the child from the home of his caretaker without the caretaker's consent. See Louisiana Children's Code 728
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
• Truant: means the repeated or habitual unauthorized absence or tardiness of a child from school pursuant to the provisions of La. See Louisiana Children's Code 728
• True bill: Another word for indictment.
• Ungovernable: means the child's habitual disregard of the lawful and reasonable demands of his caretakers and that the child is beyond their control. See Louisiana Children's Code 728