noun
accused; defendant
Legal term for a person charged with a crime in a criminal trial. Used in court contexts and news reports.
被告人は無罪を主張した。
The defendant pleaded not guilty.
裁判官は被告人に質問した。
The judge questioned the accused.
原告 is the plaintiff or complainant in a civil case, the opposite party to the defendant.
Compound of 被 (ひ, 'receiving') + 告 (こく, 'accusation') + 人 (にん, 'person'), literally 'person who receives an accusation'.