Terms Used In California Codes > Vehicle Code > Division 17 > Chapter 5 - Defenses

• City: includes "city and county" and "incorporated town" but does not include "unincorporated town" or "village. See California Government Code 20
• Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
• County: includes city and county. See California Food and Agricultural Code 29
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
• Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
• legislative body: means board of trustees, city council, or other governing body of a city. See California Government Code 34000
• Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
• Person: includes any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, or company. See California Government Code 17
• Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
• Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
• Secretary: means the Secretary of Food and Agriculture. See California Food and Agricultural Code 35
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
• war: shall mean :

  California Government Code 45083