Defination of Defendant in Criminal Case

[FlaBrian]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida

I'm having trouble finding somewhere the "Legal" defination
of "defendant" in a criminal case?


Suspects have rights, and Defendants must also
have rights I believe.

If a Police officer calls you a Defendant several times
in his report, prior to any arrest, should he have
listed the person as a Suspect and not "the Defendant" as
the person was not at that time charged with a crime.

I take it as he spoke to the "Suspect" but he knew the
Suspect would later be charged, so he refered to him
as a Defendant.

[Stevef]

Originally Posted by Black's Law Dictionary

defendant. A person sued in a civil proceeding or accused in a criminal proceeding.

Sounds like the correct usage if suspect has been accused.

[Ultranothing]

It's like, a triangle?