Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes > Title 14 > Chapter 1 > Part IV - Offenses Affecting the Family

• Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
• Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
• Appraisal: A determination of property value.
• Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
• Approved institutions of higher education: shall mean Centenary College, Dillard University, St. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:1672
• Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
• 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}
• Chambers: A judge's office.
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• Court reporter: A person who makes a word-for-word record of what is said in court and produces a transcript of the proceedings upon request.
• 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.
• Dental practitioner: means anyone issued a permit or licensed to practice under the provisions of Chapter 9 of Title 37, when engaged in such practice, and shall include professional dental corporations and partnerships. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:4230
• Department: shall mean the state Department of Education. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:1672
• Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
• Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
• En banc: In the bench or "full bench." Refers to court sessions with the entire membership of a court participating rather than the usual quorum. U.S. courts of appeals usually sit in panels of three judges, but may expand to a larger number in certain cases. They are then said to be sitting en banc.
• Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. ^{Source: U.S. Courts}
• Ex officio: Literally, by virtue of one's office.
• Fee simple: Absolute title to property with no limitations or restrictions regarding the person who may inherit it.
• Fiduciary: A trustee, executor, or administrator.
• Germane: On the subject of the pending bill or other business; a strict standard of relevance.
• governing authority: means the governing authority of the parish of Calcasieu or the cities of Lake Charles or Sulphur. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:134
• Governing authority: means the governing authority of the city of Ruston. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:135
• 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.
• Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
• Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
• Medical institution: means any hospital as defined in La. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:4230
• Medical practitioner: means anyone issued a permit or licensed to practice under the provisions of Chapters 11, 13, or 15 of Title 37, when engaged in such practice, and shall include professional medical corporations and partnerships, pharmacists, optometrists, podiatrists, chiropractors, physical therapists, and psychologists. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:4230
• Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
• person: includes a body of persons, whether incorporated or not. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 1:10
• Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
• Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
• 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.
• 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.
• Professional veterinary medicine corporation: means a corporation organized pursuant to this Chapter for the practice of veterinary medicine. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1151
• property: means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes, rights-of-way, and other rights in or to immovable property, where there are no buildings or structures for support or shelter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:134
• Property: means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes, rights-of-way, and other rights in or to immovable property. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:135
• property: means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes, rights of way, and other rights in or to immovable property; the term "governing authority" means the governing authority of the city of Pineville; and the term "project" means the Susek Drive Project. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:138
• property: means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes, rights-of-way, and other rights in or to immovable property; the term "governing authority" means the city of Lafayette and parish of Lafayette; and the term "project" means the Kaliste Saloom Road Widening Project or the construction, repair, or enhancement of drainage, roads, or bridges. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:139
• property: means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes, rights-of-way, and other rights in or to immovable property; the term "governing authority" means the city of Youngsville; and the term "project" means the Chemin Metairie Phase II Project. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:139.11
• Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
• Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
• scholarship program: shall mean a scholarship or the scholarship program authorized and established by the provisions of this Subpart. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:1672
• Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
• Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
• Temporary restraining order: Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held.
• Testify: Answer questions in court.
• Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
• Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
• 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.
• Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
• Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.