Who is referred to as the "Appellant" in criminal court?

In a criminal court, the term "Appellant" specifically refers to the party who is requesting an appeal. This typically occurs when one of the parties involved in a case believes that the court's decision was incorrect and seeks a review of the case by a higher court. The appellant is usually the one who has lost in the lower court and is trying to challenge that outcome, seeking a reversal or modification of the decision.

The role of the appellant is crucial in the judicial process, as it helps ensure that there is a mechanism for oversight and correction within the legal system. This appeals process is designed to uphold justice and provide an opportunity for legal mistakes to be addressed.

The other roles mentioned, such as the defendant, presiding judge, and witness, do not represent the concept of an appellant in an appeal scenario. Each of these roles serves a different purpose in the court proceedings, but only the party seeking to challenge a court's ruling is identified as the appellant.