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Glossary of Terms
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Answer - a written statement of the defendant’s case wherein the plaintiff’s claims are admitted or denied.
Appearance - the formal proceeding or document by which a defendant submits to the jurisdiction of the court.
Circuit Clerk - this elected official is responsible for maintaining the court records, issuing summons and subpoenas, collecting fines, and carrying out other business activities which support the Circuit Court.
Complaint - initial document filed by the plaintiff in a civil case stating the claims against the defendant.
Counterclaim - claim presented by a defendant against the plaintiff following the claim of the plaintiff.
Defendant - in a civil case it is the person(s) or corporation from which the plaintiff wants to collect damages.
Evidence - any form of proof presented by a party for the purpose of supporting its arguments before the court.
Hearsay - evidence based on what a witness has heard someone else say rather than what the witness has personally experienced.
Inadmissible - that which, under the established rules of evidence, cannot be admitted or received in court.
Plaintiff - in a civil case the person(s) or corporation asserting a claim for damages allegedly sustained as a result of the conduct of the defendant.
Pro Se - (short form of "in propria persona," which is Latin for "in one’s own proper person.") To act as one’s own attorney in a civil or criminal matter.
Subpoena - a document issued by the court to compel a witness to appear and give testimony or to procure documentary evidence in a proceeding.
Testimony - the sworn evidence presented by witnesses.
Answer - a written statement of the defendant’s case wherein the plaintiff’s claims are admitted or denied.
Appearance - the formal proceeding or document by which a defendant submits to the jurisdiction of the court.
Circuit Clerk - this elected official is responsible for maintaining the court records, issuing summons and subpoenas, collecting fines, and carrying out other business activities which support the Circuit Court.
Complaint - initial document filed by the plaintiff in a civil case stating the claims against the defendant.
Counterclaim - claim presented by a defendant against the plaintiff following the claim of the plaintiff.
Defendant - in a civil case it is the person(s) or corporation from which the plaintiff wants to collect damages.
Evidence - any form of proof presented by a party for the purpose of supporting its arguments before the court.
Hearsay - evidence based on what a witness has heard someone else say rather than what the witness has personally experienced.
Inadmissible - that which, under the established rules of evidence, cannot be admitted or received in court.
Plaintiff - in a civil case the person(s) or corporation asserting a claim for damages allegedly sustained as a result of the conduct of the defendant.
Pro Se - (short form of "in propria persona," which is Latin for "in one’s own proper person.") To act as one’s own attorney in a civil or criminal matter.
Subpoena - a document issued by the court to compel a witness to appear and give testimony or to procure documentary evidence in a proceeding.
Testimony - the sworn evidence presented by witnesses.