Terms Used In Tennessee Code > Title 8 > Chapter 14 > Part 4 - District Public Defender's Fiscal Affairs

• 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.
• Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
• Property: includes both personal and real property. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
• Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
• State: means the state of Tennessee. See Tennessee Code 8-34-101
• Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.