WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUSPECT AND ACCUSED?
Suspect and accused are two terms that many times people
tend to think that they are quiet the same. However, they both are different
from each other.
When a crime is committed, usually there are two sides, the
victim, who is affected because of the criminal act, and the suspect, who is
said to have carried out the act. After a crime is committed, police will start
investigations and if someone is arrested, this person is called a suspect. Basically,
suspect is a person who is believed to be the one who committed a crime. And despite
the suspicion, suspect must be treated as if they were not guilty.
When investigations are complete, the file is forwarded to
the Prosecution Office, then the prosecutor charges the person. When a suspect
is charged, then that person becomes an accused. So, the accused refers to a
person who is charged with a crime. A person will be referred as an accused
only if a case has been opened against the person. Defendant is also used as a
synonym of accused.
After the trial, if the person is found guilty, then the accused
becomes a convict.
If you need more information or need legal advice you can
contact our English speaking criminal defense lawyers in Istanbul here.
