Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes > Title 17 > Chapter 4 > Part II > Subpart G - Metropolitan Branch of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College

• Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
• Clerk of court: An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in overseeing the court's administration, especially to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records.
• 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.
• Governing authority: means the governing authority of the city of Ruston. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:135
• Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
• Property: means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes, rights-of-way, and other rights in or to immovable property. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:135
• 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.