Terms Used In Alabama Code > Title 35 > Chapter 11 > Article 1 - General Provisions

• 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.
• Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
• Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
• Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
• Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
• person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
• Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
• property: includes both real and personal property. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
• Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.