Terms Used In Wisconsin Statutes 814.03

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • 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.
   (1)    If the plaintiff is not entitled to costs under s. 814.01 (1) or (3), the defendant shall be allowed costs to be computed on the basis of the demands of the complaint.
   (2)   Where there are several defendants who are not united in interest and who make separate defenses by separate answers, if the plaintiff recovers against some but not all of such defendants, the court may award costs to any defendant who has judgment in the defendant’s favor.
   (3)   Notwithstanding subs. (1) and (2), where the department of health services or a county is joined as a plaintiff pursuant to ss. 49.89 (2) and 803.03 (2) (a) because of the provision of benefits under subch. IV of ch. 49, the department of health services or the county shall not be liable for costs to any prevailing defendant.