What is the legal term for a person who has been formally charged with a crime?

The legal term for a person who has been formally charged with a crime is "defendant." In the criminal justice system, when an individual is accused of committing a crime, they are designated as the defendant in the case against them. This designation arises once formal charges are brought forward by the prosecution, typically through an indictment or an information filed in court.

As the defendant, this individual has specific rights and responsibilities under the law. They have the right to legal representation, the right to a fair trial, and the right to plead not guilty, among others. The role of the defendant is crucial in the legal process, as it sets the stage for the adversarial nature of criminal proceedings, where the prosecution seeks to prove the charges and the defense works to challenge those charges.

Understanding this term is essential for anyone studying the legal system, particularly in the context of court procedures, as it outlines who is the subject of the legal action and who must respond to the allegations made against them.