Legal Definitions - Response

In legal terms, a response refers to a formal written or oral reply made by a party in a legal proceeding to a claim, motion, petition, or other legal document initiated by another party or the court. It is the official way a party states their position, agrees or disagrees with allegations, or provides information requested within the legal framework.

• Example 1: Civil Lawsuit (Defendant's Answer)
  Imagine a small business is sued by a former client for alleged negligence. After receiving the "Complaint" (the document outlining the client's accusations), the business's attorney prepares and files a document called an "Answer." This "Answer" systematically addresses each point in the Complaint, admitting some facts, denying others, and presenting any legal defenses the business may have.
  This "Answer" is the business's formal response to the lawsuit, clearly stating its position on the claims made against it.

• Example 2: Motion Practice
  During a criminal trial, the defense attorney files a "Motion to Suppress Evidence," arguing that certain evidence was obtained illegally and should not be presented to the jury. The prosecutor then drafts and files a document arguing against the motion, explaining why the evidence was legally obtained and should be admitted.
  The document filed by the prosecutor is their formal response to the "Motion to Suppress Evidence," presenting the state's counter-arguments to the court.

• Example 3: Administrative Hearing
  A landlord receives a notice from a housing authority stating that a tenant has filed a complaint about unsafe living conditions and that an administrative hearing will be held. The landlord's attorney then prepares a written statement and gathers evidence to present at the hearing, explaining the landlord's actions and disputing the tenant's claims.
  The landlord's written statement and oral arguments at the hearing constitute their formal response to the tenant's complaint and the housing authority's notice.