Terms Used In Ohio Code > Chapter 2981 - Forfeiture

• Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
• Another: when used to designate the owner of property which is the subject of an offense, includes not only natural persons but also every other owner of property. See Ohio Code 1.02
• 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.
• Appraisal: A determination of property value.
• Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
• Asset forfeiture: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
• Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
• Bond: includes an undertaking. See Ohio Code 1.02
• Child: includes child by adoption. See Ohio Code 1.59
• Civil forfeiture: The loss of ownership of property used to conduct illegal activity.
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
• Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
• Fair market value: The price at which an asset would change hands in a transaction between a willing, informed buyer and a willing, informed seller.
• Financial institution: means a bank, credit union, savings and loan association, or a licensee or registrant under Chapter 1321 of the Revised Code. See Ohio Code 2981.01
• Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
• Impeachment: (1) The process of calling something into question, as in "impeaching the testimony of a witness." (2) The constitutional process whereby the House of Representatives may "impeach" (accuse of misconduct) high officers of the federal government for trial in the Senate.
• in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures; this provision does not affect any law relating to signatures. See Ohio Code 1.59
• Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
• Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
• Innocent person: includes any bona fide purchaser of property that is subject to forfeiture, including any person who establishes a valid claim to or interest in the property in accordance with section 2981. See Ohio Code 2981.01
• Instrumentality: means property otherwise lawful to possess that is used in or intended to be used in an offense. See Ohio Code 2981.01
• Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
• Law enforcement agency: includes , but is not limited to, the state board of pharmacy, the enforcement division of the department of taxation, the Ohio casino control commission, and the office of the prosecutor. See Ohio Code 2981.01
• Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
• Mobile instrumentality: includes , but is not limited to, any vehicle, any watercraft, and any aircraft. See Ohio Code 2981.01
• Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
• offense: includes the commission of a delinquent act. See Ohio Code 2981.01
• Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
• 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.
• Population: means that shown by the most recent regular federal census. See Ohio Code 1.59
• Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
• Proceeds: means both of the following:

  (a) In cases involving unlawful goods, services, or activities, "proceeds" means any property derived directly or indirectly from an offense. See Ohio Code 2981.01

• Property: means "property" as defined in section 2901. See Ohio Code 2981.01
• Property subject to forfeiture: includes contraband and proceeds and may include instrumentalities as provided in this chapter. See Ohio Code 2981.01
• Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
• Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
• Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
• Rule: includes regulation. See Ohio Code 1.59
• state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
• Testify: Answer questions in court.
• Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
• Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
• Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
• United States: includes all the states. See Ohio Code 1.59
• Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
• Whoever: includes all persons, natural and artificial; partners; principals, agents, and employees; and all officials, public or private. See Ohio Code 1.02