What is a defendant example?

Asked by: Lulu Collier  |  Last update: February 19, 2022
Score: 4.3/5 (58 votes)

The definition of a defendant is a person being sued or accused of a crime. An example of a defendant is someone accused of driving under the influence. ... In a criminal trial, the accused; in a civil proceeding, the person or entity against whom a claim is made.

What are the types of defendants?

There are two types of defendants:
  • Criminal defendant: Criminal defendants are often charged with committing an illegal act. The prosecutor, who represents the state or the city, charges the defendant. ...
  • Civil defendant: Civil defendants are defending their actions after being sued in a business or personal situation.

What is a plaintiff example?

plaintiff • \PLAYN-tif\ • noun. : a person who brings a legal action. Examples: In the end, the jury found for the plaintiff, and ordered the company to pay a significant amount in damages. "

What is a defendant in simple terms?

: a person or group against whom a criminal or civil action is brought : someone who is being sued or accused of committing a crime if the jury finds the defendant not guilty — compare plaintiff. defendant. adjective.

Who is the defendant of the case?

defendant - In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime. defense table - The table where the defense lawyer sits with the defendant in the courtroom.

What Is the Difference Between a Plaintiff and a Defendant?

31 related questions found

What is the role of a defendant?

The person against whom a criminal case is brought. Sometimes referred to as the defendant. The person who generally carries out the judicial function of hearing and determining issues which arise before and after trial in civil cases. Associate Judges do not hear trials.

What is the difference between a defendant and respondent?

is that respondent is (legal) person who answers for the defendant in a case before a court in some legal systems, when one appeals a criminal case, one names the original court as defendant, but the state is the respondent while defendant is (legal) in civil proceedings, the party responding to the complaint; one who ...

Who is plaintiff in law?

plaintiff, the party who brings a legal action or in whose name it is brought—as opposed to the defendant, the party who is being sued. The term corresponds to petitioner in equity and civil law and to libelant in admiralty.

What does getting prosecuted mean?

Prosecute is generally found today in a legal context (“to bring legal action against for redress or punishment of a crime or violation of law”), although the word may also be used to mean “to follow to the end” or “to engage in.” If someone is prosecuted they are being tried in a court of law; if they are persecuted ...

What is another word for plaintiff?

In this page you can discover 19 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for plaintiff, like: accuser, complainant, prosecutor, law, pursuer, claimant, litigant, defendant, testator, mortgagee and tortfeasor.

Who is a claimant and who is a defendant?

The “claimant” is the person who has been injured and who would be making a claim for their injuries. The word “plaintiff” isn't used until there is a lawsuit started. The party responsible for the plaintiff's injuries is known as the “defendant.”

Is the victim the defendant?

Victim: an individual who has suffered direct physical, emotional, or economic harm as a result of the commission of a crime. Defendant: the person accused of committing a crime.

What is the difference between defendant and accused?

Court Terminology. Accused: formally charged but not yet tried for committing a crime; the person who has been charged may also be called the defendant.

What is the difference between a defendant in a civil case and a defendant in a criminal case?

Crimes are generally offenses against the state (even if the immediate harm is done to an individual), and are accordingly prosecuted by the state. Civil cases on the other hand, typically involve disputes between individuals regarding the legal duties and responsibilities they owe to one another.

What's another word for a defendant?

In this page you can discover 27 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for defendant, like: offender, respondent, tribunal, appellant, prisoner at the bar, prisoner, the accused, party, accuser, complainant and plaintiff.

Who are the two sides in a civil case?

Every civil lawsuit involves at least two parties—a plaintiff making a claim and a defendant resisting it.

What's the opposite of defendant lawyer?

In the U.S. state civil courts, the opposite of defendant (or respondent) can be plaintiff, petitioner or claimant (least used in civil courts). In U.S. federal district courts, the opposite of defendant is plaintiff in civil suits. [It is also plaintiff in federal criminal actions.

Is a defendant a litigant?

n. any party to a lawsuit. This means plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, cross-complainant, and cross-defendant, but not a witness or attorney.

Is complainant the same as plaintiff?

A plaintiff (Π in legal shorthand) is the party who initiates a lawsuit (also known as an action) before a court. ... In criminal cases, the prosecutor brings the case against the defendant, but the key complaining party is often called the "complainant".

What's the difference between plaintiff and respondent?

is that plaintiff is (legal) a party bringing a suit in civil law against a defendant; accusers while respondent is (legal) person who answers for the defendant in a case before a court in some legal systems, when one appeals a criminal case, one names the original court as defendant, but the state is the respondent.

Is plaintiff same as petitioner?

The petitioner is the party who presents a petition to the court. ... This can be either the plaintiff or defendant from the court below, as either of the parties can present the case to a higher court for further proceedings. See also respondent.

Is plaintiff the same as prosecutor?

The prosecution represents the people and is tasked with gathering information to “prove beyond a reasonable doubt.” A plaintiff is a person or group who suspects that there was an unjust action taken against them. While both are the ones that present a case to a court, they have different procedures to handle them.

Who can file a PIL?

Who can file it? Any Indian citizen can file a PIL, the only condition being that it should not be filed with a private interest, but in larger public interest. At times, even the Court can take cognizance of a matter if it is one of utmost public importance, and appoint an advocate to handle the case.

What are the rights of a defendant?

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay, the right to a lawyer, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to know who your accusers are and the nature of the charges and evidence against you.