Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 14 Sec. 6003

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
  • 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.
The District Court shall have jurisdiction of cases of forcible entry and detainer.
The court shall schedule and hold the hearing as soon as practicable, but no later than 10 days after the return day except that the court may grant a continuance for good cause shown. Any defendant requesting a recorded hearing shall file a written answer enumerating all known defenses on or before the return day. [PL 1997, c. 151, §1 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY

PL 1981, c. 428, §5 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 452, §1 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 151, §1 (AMD).