Final answer:
The person who brings a complaint to court is known as the plaintiff, who seeks justice for the harm they've endured. The defendant is the party accused of causing this harm. In criminal cases, the government acts as the plaintiff, with defendants guaranteed protections under the Sixth Amendment.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an adversarial judicial system, such as that of the United States, the party bringing forth a complaint or accusation in court is known as the plaintiff. The plaintiff is the individual or entity that believes they have been wronged and seeks a legal remedy for the harm suffered. On the other hand, the defendant is the party being accused of causing harm. In civil cases, the plaintiff is typically the injured party, while in criminal cases, the government (state or federal) takes on the role of the plaintiff, representing the interests of society.
Case names often reflect these roles, such as in the landmark case Roe v. Wade, where 'Roe' is the petitioner or plaintiff. In the context of the Sixth Amendment, the defendant is given a number of protections when facing criminal charges, including the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury and the Assistance of Counsel for their defense. This amendment emphasizes the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty' and ensures that defendants can challenge their accusers.