Terms Used In Montana Code > Title 25 > Chapter 30A > Part 2400. IV - General Provisions

• Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
• Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
• Chambers: A judge's office.
• Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. ^Source:
• Oral argument: An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to answer the judges' questions.
• Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
• Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
• Pro se: A Latin term meaning "on one's own behalf"; in courts, it refers to persons who present their own cases without lawyers.
• Process: means a writ or summons issued in the course of judicial proceedings. See Montana Code 1-1-202
• Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
• Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
• Writing: includes printing. See Montana Code 1-1-203