Terms Used In Florida Statutes > Chapter 838 - Bribery; Misuse of Public Office

• Allegation: something that someone says happened.
• Benefit: means gain or advantage, or anything regarded by the person to be benefited as a gain or advantage, including the doing of an act beneficial to any person in whose welfare he or she is interested, including any commission, gift, gratuity, property, commercial interest, or any other thing of economic value not authorized by law. See Florida Statutes 838.014
• Bid: includes a response to an "invitation to bid" "invitation to negotiate" "request for a quote" or "request for proposals" as those terms are defined in…. See Florida Statutes 838.014
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
• Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
• Decedent: A deceased person.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
• Fiduciary: A trustee, executor, or administrator.
• Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
• Governmental entity: means an agency or entity of the state, a county, municipality, or special district or any other public entity created or authorized by law. See Florida Statutes 838.014
• Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
• Harm: means pecuniary or other loss, disadvantage, or injury to the person affected. See Florida Statutes 838.014
• Intangible property: Property that has no intrinsic value, but is merely the evidence of value such as stock certificates, bonds, and promissory notes.
• 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.
• minor: includes any person who has not attained the age of 18 years. See Florida Statutes 1.01
• person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
• Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
• Probate: Proving a will
• Public contractor: means , for purposes of ss. See Florida Statutes 838.014
• Public servant: means :
  (a) Any officer or employee of a governmental entity, including any executive, legislative, or judicial branch officer or employee;
  (b) Any person, except a witness, who acts as a general or special magistrate, receiver, auditor, arbitrator, umpire, referee, consultant, or hearing officer while performing a governmental function; or
  (c) A candidate for election or appointment to any of the officer positions listed in this subsection, or an individual who has been elected to, but has yet to officially assume the responsibilities of, public office. See Florida Statutes 838.014
• Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
• Service: means any kind of activity performed in whole or in part for economic benefit. See Florida Statutes 838.014
• Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
• Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
• Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
• Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.