as in offender
a person who is being sued or accused of a crime in a court of law
The jury believed that the defendant was guilty.
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Recent Examples of defendant
One is known as the Brady database — a reference to the 1963 U.S. Supreme Court decision Brady vs. Maryland, which says prosecutors are constitutionally required to turn over any evidence favorable to a defendant, including evidence of police misconduct.
—
Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
According to a federal criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday, the defendants have been targeting athletes from the National Football League and National Basketball Association since around October 2024 –– breaking into their homes while the sports stars were competing in games.
—Karina Tsui, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
Normally such requests are granted readily when prosecutors and defendants are in agreement, but Ho asked a lengthy series of questions about the DOJ's motives for putting Adams' case on hold.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 19 Feb. 2025
Sign and Release Warrants Many people don’t change their address on their licenses, which leads to a defendant potentially not receiving their mail, which in some cases may be a summons to appear for a low level offense.
—Alex Malm, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
According to a federal criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday, the defendants have been targeting athletes from the National Football League and National Basketball Association since around October 2024 –– breaking into their homes while the sports stars were competing in games.
—Karina Tsui, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
Normally such requests are granted readily when prosecutors and defendants are in agreement, but Ho asked a lengthy series of questions about the DOJ's motives for putting Adams' case on hold.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 19 Feb. 2025
Sign and Release Warrants Many people don’t change their address on their licenses, which leads to a defendant potentially not receiving their mail, which in some cases may be a summons to appear for a low level offense.
—Alex Malm, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Cite this Entry
“Defendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendant. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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