Terms Used In New Hampshire Revised Statutes 515:5

  • 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.
  • 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.
If, upon the trial of the issues upon such pleadings, either party maintains by his evidence such of the matters by him pleaded as would constitute an answer to or avoidance of the matters pleaded by the other party such issue shall be considered to be maintained by the party producing such evidence, notwithstanding other matters alleged in his pleadings may not be sustained by the proof.