The courts
defendant
The party being sued in a civil case, or charged in a criminal one. In criminal cases the defendant is presumed innocent until the government proves otherwise.
In full
A civil defendant responds to the complaint with an answer, may raise defenses and counterclaims, and can lose money or be ordered to act. A criminal defendant faces the government's power directly and holds constitutional protections a civil defendant does not: counsel, silence, confrontation of witnesses, and proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.