Terms Used In Michigan Laws > Chapter 600 > Act 236 of 1961 > Chapter 88 - State Civil Infractions

• 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.
• Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
• Borrower: means a person who obtains an extension of credit from a regulated lender. See Michigan Laws 445.1852
• Chief judge: The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court but also decides cases; chief judges are determined by seniority.
• Citation: means a written complaint or notice to appear in court upon which a law enforcement officer records the occurrence or existence of 1 or more state civil infractions by the person cited. See Michigan Laws 600.8801
• Civil infraction: means an act or omission that is prohibited by a law and is not a crime under that law or that is prohibited by an ordinance, as defined in section 8701, and is not a crime under that ordinance, and for which civil sanctions may be ordered. See Michigan Laws 600.113
• Civil infraction action: means a civil action in which the defendant is alleged to be responsible for a civil infraction. See Michigan Laws 600.113
• Commissioner: means the commissioner of the financial institutions bureau of the department of consumer and industry services. See Michigan Laws 445.1852
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
• Credit card arrangement: means an extension of credit that is not secured by real property made to a cardholder of a credit card or charge card issued by a regulated lender under an arrangement that gives to a cardholder the privilege of obtaining credit from the regulated lender or any other person in purchasing or leasing property or services, obtaining credit or loans, or otherwise. See Michigan Laws 445.1852
• Credit sale: means an extension of credit for the sale of goods or services by a seller that is subject to the home improvement finance act, Act No. See Michigan Laws 445.1852
• 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.
• Depository institution: means a bank, savings and loan association, savings bank, or a credit union chartered under state or federal law which maintains a principal office or branch in this state. See Michigan Laws 445.1852
• 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}
• Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
• Excessive fee or charge: means a fee or charge that exceeds the amount allowed in section 6(1), (2), or (3), section 7, or any other applicable law or statute of this state. See Michigan Laws 445.1852
• Extension of credit: means a loan or credit sale made by a regulated lender. See Michigan Laws 445.1852
• Finance charge: The total cost of credit a customer must pay on a consumer loan, including interest. The Truth in Lending Act requires disclosure of the finance charge. ^{Source: OCC}
• 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}
• Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
• Improper means: includes theft, bribery, misrepresentation, breach, or inducement of a breach of a duty to maintain secrecy or espionage through electronic or any other means. See Michigan Laws 445.1902
• in writing: shall be construed to include printing, engraving, and lithographing; except that if the written signature of a person is required by law, the signature shall be the proper handwriting of the person or, if the person is unable to write, the person's proper mark, which may be, unless otherwise expressly prohibited by law, a clear and classifiable fingerprint of the person made with ink or another substance. See Michigan Laws 8.3q
• judgment: as used in this act , includes decree. See Michigan Laws 600.112
• Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
• Law enforcement officer: means any of the following: