DEFENDANT
The person defending or denying; the party
against whom relief or recovery is sought in an
action or suit, or the accused in a criminal case.
In every legal action, whether civil or criminal,
there are two sides. The person suing is the
plaintiff and the person against whom the suit is
brought is the defendant. In some instances,
there may be more than one plaintiff or defendant.
If an individual is being sued by his or her
neighbor for TRESPASS, then he or she is the
defendant in a civil suit. The person being
accused of murder by the state in a HOMICIDE
case is the defendant in a criminal action.
