Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 20 Sec. 1941

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • DNA: means deoxyribonucleic acid. See
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Fees: shall mean earnings due for official services, aside from salaries or per diem compensation. See
  • Laboratory: means the Department of Public Safety Forensic Laboratory. See
  • Person: shall include any natural person, corporation, municipality, the State of Vermont or any department, agency, or subdivision of the State, and any partnership, unincorporated association, or other legal entity. See
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.

§ 1941. Confidentiality of records

(a) All DNA samples submitted to the laboratory pursuant to this subchapter shall be confidential.

(b) DNA records shall not be used for any purpose other than as provided in section 1937 of this subchapter, provided that in appropriate circumstances such records may be used to identify missing persons.

(c) Any person who intentionally violates this section shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both.

(d) Any individual aggrieved by a violation of this section may bring an action for civil damages including punitive damages, equitable relief, including restraint of prohibited acts, restitution of wages or other benefits, reinstatement, costs, reasonable attorney’s fees, and other appropriate relief. (Added 1997, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. April 29, 1998.)