Terms Used In Maryland Code, COURTS AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS 9-201

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
(a) A judge may issue a summons for the attendance of a party, witnesses, or for the production of evidence in a case before the court. No judge may issue a blank summons.

(b) If a witness is summoned to attend a court and without sufficient excuse neglects to appear, he may be attached and fined an amount not exceeding $300. He is liable to answer the party for whom he was summoned in an action upon the case for the damage sustained for failure to appear to testify according to the summons.