Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes > Chapter 41 > Article 3A - Several Liability

• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• 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.
• Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.