Terms Used In Alabama Code > Title 15 > Chapter 14 > Article 3 - Trial With or Without Jury

• 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.
• circuit: means judicial circuit. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• 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.
• person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
• property: includes both real and personal property. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
• state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
• writing: includes typewriting and printing on paper. See Alabama Code 1-1-1