In legal terms, who is the person initiating a criminal case?

In legal terms, the person initiating a criminal case is typically referred to as the complainant. This individual is responsible for making the initial complaint or report to law enforcement authorities, which sets the criminal justice process in motion. The complainant may be a victim of the crime or someone acting on behalf of the victim.

Once the complaint is filed, the prosecutor takes over the role of bringing the case to court on behalf of the state or the government, representing the interests of the public in seeking justice. The defendant, on the other hand, is the person being accused of a crime, and a witness provides testimony or evidence in the case but does not initiate the legal action. Thus, the complainant is the accurate choice for the person who initiates a criminal case.