Question

What is the difference between plaintiffs and defendants in a civil trial and plaintiffs and defendants

Answer 1

Answer:

In a civil trial, the defendant is always the person who is accused the crime.

In a criminal trial, the defendant is always the person who is accused of the crime.

In a criminal trial, the plaintiff is always the U.S. government.

Explanation:

• All the above three cases apply to the difference between plaintiffs and defendants in a civil trial and plaintiffs and defendants  in a criminal trial in a federal case except for the last case i.e., in a civil trial, the plaintiff is always the U.S. government.

• It is because in a civil trial, a private party/individual can sue another party/individual in matters of their own concern such as tort cases or breach of contracts. Thus, the plaintiff can be anyone or any private party  who sought civil relief from the defendant. It does not necessarily has to be the U.S government.