Terms Used In Missouri Laws 509.310

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • 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.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

A party may move for a more definite statement or for a bill of particulars of any matter contained in a petition, answer or reply which is not averred with sufficient definiteness or particularity to enable him properly to prepare his responsive pleadings or to prepare generally for trial when a responsive pleading is not required. If the motion is granted and the order of the court is not obeyed within ten days after notice of the order, or within such other time as the court may fix, the court may strike the pleading to which the motion was directed, or make such order as it deems just. A bill of particulars becomes a part of the pleading which it supplements.