In criminal law, what is the term for the person charged with an offense?

The term for the person charged with an offense in criminal law is primarily referred to as the defendant. This designation is used in a legal context to indicate that the individual is facing charges brought by the state or government through the prosecution. The defendant has the right to present a defense against the allegations made.

In the context of a trial, the defendant is the party who is responding to the charges; they are defended by an attorney and have the opportunity to contest the evidence presented by the prosecutor. This role is critical in ensuring that the legal principles of due process and the presumption of innocence are upheld in the judicial system.

While the term "accused" could colloquially describe someone who has been charged with a crime, in formal legal proceedings, the term "defendant" is the precise terminology used to represent that individual in the courtroom. The other options such as prosecutor and witness denote different roles within the judicial system and do not pertain to the person facing charges. The prosecutor represents the state in bringing the case against the defendant, and a witness provides testimony relevant to the case but is not charged with an offense.