Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes > Title 13 > Chapter 32 > Part I > Subpart A - Prostitution, Obscenity, and Drug-Related Criminal Activity

• Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
• Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
• Appraisal: A determination of property value.
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Controlled substance: means a controlled dangerous substance as defined and covered by the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, La. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:2800.62
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Fair market value: The price at which an asset would change hands in a transaction between a willing, informed buyer and a willing, informed seller.
• Illegal controlled substance: means cocaine, phencyclidine, heroin, or methamphetamine and any other illegal controlled dangerous substance the possession or distribution of which is a violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, La. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:2800.62
• Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
• Inter vivos: Transfer of property from one living person to another living person.
• Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
• Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
• Person: means a natural person, governmental entity, or corporation, partnership,  firm, trust, or incorporated or unincorporated association, existing under or authorized by the laws of this state, another state, or a foreign country. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:2800.62
• Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
• Preliminary hearing: A hearing where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to make the defendant have a trial.
• Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
• Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
• Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.