Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes > Title 9-A > Article 2 > Part 6 - Other Credit Transactions

• Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
• bail: means the obtaining of the release of the defendant upon an undertaking that the defendant shall appear at the time and place required and that the defendant shall conform to each condition imposed in accordance with section 1026 that is designed to ensure that the defendant shall refrain from any new criminal conduct, to ensure the integrity of the judicial process and to ensure the safety of others in the community. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 15 Sec. 1003
• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Finance charge: The total cost of credit a customer must pay on a consumer loan, including interest. The Truth in Lending Act requires disclosure of the finance charge. ^{Source: OCC}
• New criminal conduct: refers to criminal activity by a defendant occurring after bail has been set. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 15 Sec. 1003
• Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
• Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
• Post-conviction: means any point in a criminal proceeding after a verdict or finding of guilty or after the acceptance of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 15 Sec. 1003
• Preconviction: means any point in a criminal proceeding before a verdict in the context of a jury trial or finding of guilty in the context of a jury-waived trial or before the acceptance of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 15 Sec. 1003
• Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
• Year: means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72