Legal Dictionary
Defendant
Definition
An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law.
Deep Dive
A defendant is the party against whom a legal action is brought in a court of law. In a civil lawsuit, the defendant is the person, company, or institution being sued by a plaintiff for alleged harm, breach of contract, or other legal wrongs. In a criminal case, the defendant is the individual accused of committing a crime by the prosecution, facing charges that could lead to fines, imprisonment, or other penalties. The defendant's role is to defend themselves against the claims or charges made by the opposing party.
Examples & Use Cases
- 1In a personal injury lawsuit, the driver who caused a multi-car collision is named as the defendant.
- 2A pharmaceutical company facing a class-action lawsuit for an allegedly dangerous drug is the defendant in a civil case.
- 3A person charged with embezzlement by the district attorney is the defendant in a criminal prosecution.
Related Terms
PlaintiffProsecutionLitigantRespondent