Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes > Title 13 > Chapter 7 > Part I - City and Municipal Courts, New Orleans Excepted

• admission: as used in this Chapter includes the charges made for seats and tables, reserved or otherwise, and other similar accommodations. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 4:44
• Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
• Agricultural use: means farming in all of its branches, including but not limited to the cultivation and the tillage of the soil; the production, cultivation, growing, and harvesting of any products from agricultural, horticulture, aquaponic, hydroponic, or aquaculture practices; the raising of livestock, bees, fur-bearing animals, dairy-producing animals, and poultry; agricultural education; agricultural tourism; or any practices performed by a farmer or on a farm as an incident to or in conjunction with farming operations. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:4751
• Allegation: something that someone says happened.
• Amateur: means any of the following:

  (a)  Contests or exhibitions of armed or unarmed combat or any combination thereof conducted by or participated in exclusively by any state-accredited middle school or high school, college, or university, or by any association or organization of a school, college, or university, when each participant in the contests or exhibitions is a bona fide student in the state-accredited middle school or high school, college, or university. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 4:85

• Annuity: A periodic (usually annual) payment of a fixed sum of money for either the life of the recipient or for a fixed number of years. A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
• Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
• Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
• 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.
• Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
• Architectural-engineering corporation: means a corporation organized pursuant to this Chapter for the practice of architecture as provided for by Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1171
• Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
• Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
• Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
• Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. ^{Source: OCC}
• Chambers: A judge's office.
• Chief judge: The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court but also decides cases; chief judges are determined by seniority.
• Children: as used in this Part , are defined as children of the firefighter and/or children of the widow of the firefighter who are solely dependent upon the firefighter for their support. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 11:3378
• 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.
• Commission: means the State Boxing and Wrestling Commission. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 4:85
• Commission: means the Louisiana Environmental Education Commission. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:203
• commissioner: means the "Commissioner, Louisiana Department of Agriculture. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:4201
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Concurrent resolution: A legislative measure, designated "S. Con. Res." and numbered consecutively upon introduction, generally employed to address the sentiments of both chambers, to deal with issues or matters affecting both houses, such as a concurrent budget resolution, or to create a temporary joint committee. Concurrent resolutions are not submitted to the President/Governor and thus do not have the force of law.
• Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
• Controlled substance: means a controlled dangerous substance as defined and covered by the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:2800.62
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• Court reporter: A person who makes a word-for-word record of what is said in court and produces a transcript of the proceedings upon request.
• 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.
• Department: means the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:1
• Department: means the state Department of Education. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:203
• Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
• Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
• Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. ^Source:
• Disparagement: means dissemination to the public in any manner of any false information that the disseminator knows or should have known to be false, and which states or implies that a perishable agricultural or aquacultural food product is not safe for consumption by the consuming public. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:4502
• dividend: when used in this Chapter (except in Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:159
• Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
• Donor: The person who makes a gift.
• Election official: means :

  (a)  The parish board of election supervisors. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 18:1466

• Embezzlement: In most states, embezzlement is defined as theft/larceny of assets (money or property) by a person in a position of trust or responsibility over those assets. Embezzlement typically occurs in the employment and corporate settings. ^{Source: OCC}
• En banc: In the bench or "full bench." Refers to court sessions with the entire membership of a court participating rather than the usual quorum. U.S. courts of appeals usually sit in panels of three judges, but may expand to a larger number in certain cases. They are then said to be sitting en banc.
• Enrolled bill: The final copy of a bill or joint resolution which has passed both chambers in identical form. It is printed on parchment paper, signed by appropriate officials, and submitted to the President/Governor for signature.
• Entitlement: A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.
• Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. ^{Source: U.S. Courts}
• Escheat: Reversion of real or personal property to the state when 1) a person dies without leaving a will and has no heirs, or 2) when the property (such as a bank account) has been inactive for a certain period of time. ^{Source: OCC}
• 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.
• Federal law: means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (Title 26 United States Code) and applicable U. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:287.701
• Federal Poultry Products Inspection Act: means the act so entitled, approved August 28, 1957 (Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:4201
• Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
• Foreclosure: A legal process in which property that is collateral or security for a loan may be sold to help repay the loan when the loan is in default. ^{Source: OCC}
• Forgery: The fraudulent signing or alteration of another's name to an instrument such as a deed, mortgage, or check. The intent of the forgery is to deceive or defraud. ^{Source: OCC}
• Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
• Garnishment: Generally, garnishment is a court proceeding in which a creditor asks a court to order a third party who owes money to the debtor or otherwise holds assets belonging to the debtor to turn over to the creditor any of the debtor
• Germane: On the subject of the pending bill or other business; a strict standard of relevance.
• Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
• governing authority: means the governing authority of the parish of Calcasieu or the cities of Lake Charles or Sulphur. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:134
• Governing authority: means the governing authority of the city of Ruston. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:135
• Governing authority of a nutrition program provider: means any authority which has executed an agreement or contract with the state Department of Education to participate in a nutrition program authorized by this Subpart. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:191
• Governing body: means the board or body in which the bond issuing power of a governmental unit is vested. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 13:5121
• Grace period: The number of days you'll have to pay your bill for purchases in full without triggering a finance charge. ^{Source: Federal Reserve}
• Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
• Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
• 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, Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:2800.62
• In forma pauperis: In the manner of a pauper. Permission given to a person to sue without payment of court fees on claim of indigence or poverty.
• Indemnification: In general, a collateral contract or assurance under which one person agrees to secure another person against either anticipated financial losses or potential adverse legal consequences. ^{Source: FDIC}
• Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
• Individual user: means the individual whose use of an illegal controlled substance, that is not obtained directly from or pursuant to a valid prescription or order of a licensed physician or practitioner, which is the basis of an action brought under this Chapter. 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.
• Intangible property: Property that has no intrinsic value, but is merely the evidence of value such as stock certificates, bonds, and promissory notes.
• Interrogatories: Written questions asked by one party of an opposing party, who must answer them in writing under oath; a discovery device in a lawsuit.
• Legacy: A gift of property made by will.
• Legatee: A beneficiary of a decedent
• Level four offense: means the illegal possession with intent to distribute sixteen ounces or more, or the illegal distribution of four ounces or more, of an illegal controlled substance. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:2800.62
• Level one offense: means the illegal possession with intent to distribute less than four ounces or the illegal distribution of less than one ounce of an illegal controlled substance. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:2800.62
• Level three offense: means the illegal possession with intent to distribute  eight ounces or more but less than sixteen ounces, or the illegal distribution of two ounces or more, but less than four ounces, of an illegal controlled substance. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:2800.62
• Level two offense: means the illegal possession with intent to distribute four ounces or more but less than eight ounces, or the illegal distribution  of one ounce or more, but less than two ounces, of an illegal controlled substance. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:2800.62
• Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
• Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
• Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
• Marketing of an illegal controlled substance: means the possession with intent to distribute or distribution of a specified illegal controlled substance which is a violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:2800.62
• Net allocable income or loss: means net allocable income or loss earned within or derived from sources within Louisiana and is the mathematical remainder when subtracting from Louisiana gross allocable income or loss:

  (1)  Allowable deductions within the meaning of Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:287.701

• Net apportionable income or loss: means net apportionable income or loss earned within or derived from sources within Louisiana as computed pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:287.701
• 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.
• Nutrition program: means a program under which meals or snacks are served by any governing authority of a nutrition program provider in this state on a nonprofit basis to individuals in attendance, including any such program under which a nutrition program provider receives assistance out of the funds appropriated by the Congress of the United States. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:191
• Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
• Original bill: A bill which is drafted by a committee. It is introduced by the committee or subcommittee chairman after the committee votes to report it.
• Other similar services: includes but is not limited to the drilling of oil and gas wells. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:287.701
• Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
• Perishable agricultural or aquacultural food product: means any food product of agriculture or aquaculture which is sold or distributed in a form that will perish or decay beyond marketability within a period of time. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:4502
• Person: means an individual or any legal or commercial entity, including a corporation, business trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, or joint venture. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:1
• 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
• Personal property: All property that is not real property.
• Place of illegal activity: means , in relation to the individual user of an illegal controlled substance, each parish in which the individual illegally possesses or uses an illegal controlled substance during the period of the individual's use of an illegal controlled substance. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:2800.62
• Place of participation: means , in relation to a defendant in an action brought under this Chapter, each parish in which the person participates in the marketing of illegal controlled substances during the period of the person's participation in the marketing of illegal controlled substances. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:2800.62
• Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
• 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.
• Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
• Political subdivision: means any unit of local government including a municipality, parish, or special district authorized by law to perform governmental functions. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:4751
• Political subdivision: means a parish, municipality, and any other unit of local government, including a school board and a special district, authorized by law to perform governmental functions. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 18:581
• Preliminary hearing: A hearing where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to make the defendant have a trial.
• Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.
• Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
• Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
• Probation officers: Screen applicants for pretrial release and monitor convicted offenders released under court supervision.
• Professional accounting corporation: means a corporation organized pursuant to this Chapter and meeting the requirements to obtain a permit as a certified professional accounting firm as provided for by the Louisiana Accountancy Act, Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1011
• Professional architectural corporation: means a corporation organized pursuant to this Chapter for the practice of architecture as provided for by Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1086
• Professional chiropractic corporation: means a corporation organized pursuant to this Chapter for the practice of chiropractic. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1051
• Professional dental corporation: means a corporation organized pursuant to this Chapter for the practice of dentistry. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:981
• Professional nursing corporation: means a corporation organized pursuant to this Chapter for the practice of nursing. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1071
• professional occupational therapy corporation: means a corporation organized pursuant to this Chapter for the practice of occupational therapy. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1190
• Professional Optometry Corporation: means a corporation organized pursuant to this Chapter for the practice of optometry as provided for by Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1110
• Professional psychology corporation: means a corporation organized pursuant to this Chapter for the practice of psychology. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1130
• Professional veterinary medicine corporation: means a corporation organized pursuant to this Chapter for the practice of veterinary medicine. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1151
• property: means immovable property, including servitudes and other rights in or to immovable property. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:1
• property: means immovable property, including servitudes and other rights in or to immovable property, and any electric light, gas or waterworks plants. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:101
• 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
• property: means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes and other rights in or to immovable property, and the term "governing authority" means the governing authority of the parish of East Baton Rouge and the city of Baton Rouge. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:131
• property: means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes, rights-of-way, and other rights in or to immovable property, where there are no buildings or structures for support or shelter; the term "governing authority" means the governing authority of the city of Alexandria or the governing authority of the city of New Orleans. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:132
• property: means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes, rights of way, and other rights in or to immovable property; the term "governing authority" means the governing authority of the town of Colfax; and the term "project" means the Aloha-Rigolette Area Louisiana Project. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:133
• property: means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes, rights-of-way, and other rights in or to immovable property, where there are no buildings or structures for support or shelter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 19:134
• 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
• Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
• Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
• Public law: A public bill or joint resolution that has passed both chambers and been enacted into law. Public laws have general applicability nationwide.
• Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
• Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
• Recourse: An arrangement in which a bank retains, in form or in substance, any credit risk directly or indirectly associated with an asset it has sold (in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) that exceeds a pro rata share of the bank's claim on the asset. If a bank has no claim on an asset it has sold, then the retention of any credit risk is recourse. ^{Source: FDIC}
• 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.
• Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
• Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
• Revocable trust: A trust agreement that can be canceled, rescinded, revoked, or repealed by the grantor (person who establishes the trust).
• Revolving credit: A credit agreement (typically a credit card) that allows a customer to borrow against a preapproved credit line when purchasing goods and services. The borrower is only billed for the amount that is actually borrowed plus any interest due. (Also called a charge account or open-end credit.) ^{Source: OCC}
• Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
• 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.
• Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.
• Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
• Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
• Taxable year: includes , in the case of a return made for a fractional part of a year under the provisions of this Chapter or under regulations prescribed by the collector, the period for which return is made. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:98
• Temporary restraining order: Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held.
• Testify: Answer questions in court.
• 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.
• Total net apportionable income or loss: means the remainder when subtracting from gross apportionable income or loss:

  (1)  Allowable deductions within the meaning of Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:287.701

• Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
• Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
• Urban: means an area within the boundaries of an urbanized area, as that term is used by the United States Census Bureau, that includes at least forty-five thousand people. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:4751
• Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone: means an area within a political subdivision that is comprised of individual properties designated as urban agriculture preserves by the political subdivision for farming purposes. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:4751
• Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
• Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
• Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.