Terms Used In Louisiana Codes > Civil Code > BOOK I > Title IV > Chapter 3 - Incidents and Effects of Marriage

• Hearsay: Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay is usually not admissible as evidence in court.
• Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
• Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
• Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.