What is a defendant?

A defendant is defined as the party who is being accused or sued in a legal proceeding. In a lawsuit, the plaintiff is the individual or entity that initiates the legal action by filing the lawsuit, while the defendant is the person or organization being accused of wrongdoing and responding to the claims made against them. This role is central to the litigation process as the defendant has the opportunity to present their defense and challenge the allegations put forth by the plaintiff. Understanding this role is crucial in the context of civil litigation, where the relationships and responsibilities of the parties are key to how the case is structured and resolved. The other options refer to different roles in the legal system that do not accurately describe who the defendant is.