In a lawsuit the person who is being sued; in a criminal case the person who is being charged with a crime is called the _____.

In a lawsuit the person who is being sued; in a criminal case the person who is being charged with a crime is called the _____.

• A. Plaintiff
• B. Defendant
• C. Judge
• D. Prosecutor

Answer: (B)

The person being sued or charged is called the defendant. In civil lawsuits, the plaintiff starts the case by making a claim against the defendant, who then responds and defends against those claims. In criminal cases, the government (through a prosecutor) brings charges, and the person charged is the defendant who must defend against those charges. The other roles are different: the plaintiff is the party who brings the civil claim, the judge is the neutral decision-maker, and the prosecutor is the government attorney who brings criminal charges. So the label that fits both contexts as the person on the receiving end of the action is the defendant.

The person being sued or charged is called the defendant. In civil lawsuits, the plaintiff starts the case by making a claim against the defendant, who then responds and defends against those claims. In criminal cases, the government (through a prosecutor) brings charges, and the person charged is the defendant who must defend against those charges. The other roles are different: the plaintiff is the party who brings the civil claim, the judge is the neutral decision-maker, and the prosecutor is the government attorney who brings criminal charges. So the label that fits both contexts as the person on the receiving end of the action is the defendant.