Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 14 Sec. 6504

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • 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.
A person interested and not named in the complaint, or out of the State, and not so notified as to enable him to appear earlier, may, in the discretion of the court, be permitted to appear and defend at any time before final judgment on such terms as may be imposed. Any defendant may, jointly with others or separately, allege in his answer any matter tending to show that partition ought not to be made as prayed for.