§ 1 Persons authorized
§ 2 Libel; contents; time for filing
§ 3 Libel; jurisdiction and venue
§ 4 Superior court; notice of libel
§ 5 District court; notice of libel
§ 6 Proceedings
§ 7 Decree
§ 8 Proceeds of sale; disposition
§ 9 Seizure without probable cause; damages; costs
§ 10 Costs; allowance
§ 11 Delivery of property to claimant; conditions precedent
§ 12 Appraisal; application of claimant
§ 13 Appraisal; application of person making seizure
§ 15 Perishable goods; sale
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Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 257 - Seizure and Libelling of Forfeited Property

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Appraisal: A determination of property value.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • 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.
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.