In a criminal case, what is the term for the person who is the accused?

• A. Accused
• B. Defendant
• C. Plaintiff
• D. Suspect

Answer: (B)

In criminal cases, the person who is charged is called the defendant. This term designates the party who must respond to the charges in court and may plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest, often represented by counsel. The word “accused” is a general descriptor that can apply to someone under investigation or charged, but the formal term used in court proceedings is the defendant. A suspect refers to someone believed to have committed a crime during an investigation, not yet charged or formalized in a case. A plaintiff is the party who brings a civil action, not part of criminal prosecutions. So the correct term for the person facing charges in a criminal case is the defendant.