A defendant in a court case is the person or entity who is accused or charged with a wrongdoing. In a criminal trial, the defendant is the individual accused of committing a crime, and the prosecution (usually a public prosecutor representing the state) brings the charges against them. In civil cases, the defendant is the party being sued by the plaintiff, who alleges that the defendant caused some harm or legal wrong and is seeking relief, such as damages
. The defendant has the role of defending themselves against these accusations or claims. This includes responding to legal notices, submitting evidence, cross-examining witnesses, and following court procedures. They have rights such as the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, the right to legal representation, and the right to a fair trial. The defendant must appear in court and comply with court orders throughout the legal process
. In summary:
- Criminal case: Defendant = person accused of a crime.
- Civil case: Defendant = person or entity being sued.
- The defendant must defend against the claims and has specific legal rights and responsibilities
