Chapter 1.

Civil Procedure.

SUBCHAPTER I. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Article 1.

Definitions.

§ 1‑1.  Remedies.

Remedies in the courts of justice are divided into –

(1) Actions.

(2) Special proceedings. (C.C.P., s. 1; Code, s. 125; Rev., s. 346; C.S., s. 391.)

 

§ 1‑2.  Actions.

An action is an ordinary proceeding in a court of justice, by which a party prosecutes another party for the enforcement or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment or prevention of a public offense. (C.C.P., s. 2; 1868‑9, c. 277, s. 2; Code, s. 126; Rev., s. 347; C.S., s. 392.)

 

§ 1‑3.  Special proceedings.

Every other remedy is a special proceeding. (C.C.P., s. 3; Code, s. 127; Rev., s. 348; C.S., s. 393.)

 

§ 1‑4.  Kinds of actions.

Actions are of two kinds –

(1) Civil.

(2) Criminal. (C.C.P., s. 4; Code, s. 128; Rev., s. 349; C.S., s. 394.)

 

§ 1‑5.  Criminal action.

A criminal action is –

(1) An action prosecuted by the State as a party, against a person charged with a public offense, for the punishment thereof.

(2) An action prosecuted by the State, at the instance of an individual, to prevent an apprehended crime against his person or property. (Const., art. 4, s. 1; C.C.P., s. 5; Code, s. 129; Rev., s. 350; C.S., s. 395.)

 

§ 1‑6.  Civil action.

Every other is a civil action. (C.C.P., s. 6; Code, s. 130; Rev., s. 351; C.S., s. 396.)

 

§ 1‑7.  When court means clerk.

In the following sections which confer jurisdiction or power, or impose duties, where the words "superior court," or "court," in reference to a superior court are used, they mean the clerk of the superior court, unless otherwise specially stated, or unless reference is made to a regular session of the court, in which cases the judge of the court alone is meant. (C.C.P., s. 9; Code, s. 132; Rev., s. 352; C.S., s. 397; 1971, c. 381, s. 12.)