Who is considered a defendant?

A defendant is a person alleged to have committed a violation and is therefore facing legal action in a court of law. In legal proceedings, this term specifically refers to an individual who has been formally accused in a civil or criminal case.

When someone is charged with a crime or sued in a civil court, they become the defendant in that case. This is distinct from a person who has already been convicted of a crime, which would not designate them as a defendant but rather as a convicted individual. Similarly, a lawyer representing a client is not the defendant but rather the advocate who defends the rights and interests of the accused party. Lastly, a juror participates in the judicial process by providing a verdict based on the case at hand but does not hold the status of being a defendant.

Understanding the role of a defendant is crucial in legal contexts as it establishes who is under scrutiny or accusation, which influences the dynamics of the courtroom proceedings.