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The role of the defendant is drastically different, however. In a lawsuit, the defendantâs aim is to disprove the allegations against him. A major difference between a plaintiff and a defendant is that the plaintiff must present a case. Technically, a defendant could remain silent in a lawsuit and merely leave the burden on the plaintiff. For a defendant to proceed through a lawsuit without presenting any evidence or arguments is not a common strategy.
In context to criminal proceedings the word is used as a synonym for a defendant. A person will be tried as an accused only if a case has been openerd against the person. The main difference between the suspect and the accused is that, unlike a suspect, an indictment is confirmed against an accused. It is important to mention that an accused does not mean convicted person. An accused becomes a convicted person if he is pronounced guilty for committing a crime in a final verdict.