Terms Used In Missouri Laws 434.080

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • 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.
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.

In all suits under this chapter, the plaintiff may call upon the defendant to answer, on oath, any interrogatory touching the case in the manner and form prescribed by the rules of civil procedure, and if the defendant shall refuse to answer, the same shall be taken as confessed; but such answer shall not be admitted as evidence against such person in any criminal proceedings by indictment or by information.