A defendant is the individual, company, or institution against whom a lawsuit is filed in a court of law. In the context of a legal dispute, the defendant is accused of causing harm or loss to the plaintiff, either through direct action, negligence, or failure to perform a duty. The defendant must respond to the plaintiff’s complaint, offering defenses or counterarguments to the allegations made against them.
In criminal cases, the defendant is the person charged with a crime, and the prosecution acts to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
