Defendee

A defendee is an individual or entity against whom a legal action, such as a lawsuit or criminal charge, is brought. They are the party required to respond to the claims presented by the plaintiff (in civil cases) or the prosecution (in criminal cases). The defendee has the right to present a defense, challenge the evidence, and argue their case in court to protect their interests and rights. This encompasses the person or organization subjected to a legal claim, playing a crucial role in the adversarial legal system.

Defendee meaning with examples

• The corporation, as the defendee, had to carefully assess the claims of environmental damage filed against it and prepare a strong legal response. Their team worked to gather evidence to counter the allegations and safeguard the company's reputation. They needed to prove their actions complied with the environmental laws and not liable for the claim.
• During the trial, the defendee, a private citizen, had to maintain composure as prosecutors presented evidence to show their involvement in the crime. The defendee's lawyer worked to cross-examine the witnesses and show the jury how much the prosecution’s claims were incorrect, hoping to create doubt.
• In a defamation lawsuit, the defendee, a news organization, was accused of publishing false and damaging statements. They had to prove the information they shared was factually correct and not intentionally malicious. The defending journalists sought to find all evidence proving their claims were true.
• The homeowner, acting as the defendee in a property dispute, presented evidence to the court showing the neighbor's claim of encroachment on their property was false. The homeowner’s attorney cross-examined the plaintiff and hired an experienced surveyor. This helped secure their property rights.