Defendant
This is the party against whom a claim is asserted; i.e., the party being sued.The term defendant is derived from the word “defend”. Normally the defendant is thought of as the person charged with a crime who is defending the criminal charge brought by the government.
The term defendant however also applies in the civil context to a party who is being sued by the plaintiff.
The attorney who represents the defendant is referred to as defense cousel.
The term “defense” may apply broadly to the team of legal professionals representing the defendant or may apply to specific theories that are being used to promote the interest of the defendant.
