Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes > Title 17 > Chapter 4 > Part II > Subpart A - General Provisions

• Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
• 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.
• property: means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes and other rights in or to immovable property, where there are no buildings or structures for support or shelter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:121
• Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.