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Terms Used In Alaska Statutes 09.05.010

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • 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.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.

From the time of the service of a copy of the summons and complaint, or of the completion of the publication when service by publication is ordered, the court acquires jurisdiction and has control of all the subsequent proceedings. The voluntary appearance of the defendant is equivalent to personal service of a copy of the summons and complaint upon the defendant.