Who is referred to as the defendant in a legal case?

In a legal case, the defendant is specifically the individual or entity against whom a lawsuit is filed. This designation indicates that the defendant is being accused or challenged in court by the party initiating the legal action, known as the plaintiff. The defendant’s role in the legal process is to respond to the claims made against them, and they have the right to defend themselves against those allegations.

To clarify the context of the other choices, the person who files a lawsuit is referred to as the plaintiff, not the defendant. An attorney representing the plaintiff serves as the legal advisor for the plaintiff, and they advocate on behalf of the plaintiff’s interests throughout the case, but they are not the defendant. Lastly, the judge presiding over the case serves to oversee the legal proceedings and ensure that justice is administered fairly, but they are neither the plaintiff nor the defendant. Each role has distinct responsibilities and functions within the courtroom setting.