Defendant
The party against whom a lawsuit or criminal charge is brought.
Encyclopedia entry: Defendant
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defendant
Defendant, in criminal cases , is the person accused of the crime . In civil cases , the defendant is the person or entity that is being sued by the plaintiff . In certain types of actions , the defendant is called the respondent . However, the term respondent is usually used to designate the person responding to an appeal .
[Last reviewed in August of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team
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Encyclopedia content from Cornell LII Wex (CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5).
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.