A defendant is the person or organization against whom a legal case is brought. In criminal proceedings, the defendant (also called the accused) is the person charged with committing a crime; they are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil cases, the defendant is the party being sued by the plaintiff, who must prove their case on a balance of probabilities. Defendants have various rights including the right to know the charges or claims against them, the right to legal representation, and the right to present a defence. Municipalities can be defendants when sued for negligence, contract disputes, or other civil matters, and individuals can be defendants in bylaw prosecutions brought by municipalities.