What term is often used to describe a legal process in which a person is accused and prosecuted for a crime?

The term most commonly used to describe the legal process in which a person is accused and prosecuted for a crime is "prosecution." This term specifically refers to the action of bringing a criminal case against a defendant in a court of law, where official charges are made, and legal responsibility for the alleged crime is established.

Prosecution involves various steps, including the investigation of the crime, the filing of charges, and bringing the case to trial. It is fundamentally associated with criminal law and the public’s interest in enforcing laws against offenders. Prosecutors represent the state or the government and work to prove the case against the accused, focusing on establishing their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

In contrast, litigation generally pertains to any legal proceedings in civil law disputes and does not specifically imply prosecution for a crime. Adjudication refers to the process of resolving a dispute or deciding a case in a formal judgment, which can occur in both civil and criminal contexts, but does not explicitly denote the prosecution aspect. Arbitration is a method of resolving disputes outside of court, typically in civil matters, and is not applicable in the context of criminal prosecution.