sole defendant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole defendant" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to a person who is the only one being charged with or accused of a crime. For example, the prosecutor argued that the sole defendant should receive a lengthy sentence for fraud.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Wells Fargo is the sole defendant in Mr. Washington's suit.

The New York Times

Maiden Lane II is the sole defendant in A.I.G.'s lawsuit.

The New York Times

The initial Esma trial in 2007 featured a sole defendant, former naval officer Hector Febres.

Independent

The suit filed Monday in federal court in Charleston names the agency's director, Joe Main, as the sole defendant.

The New York Times

Mr. Lysaght, the sole defendant to address the judge, said he had "served the law" his entire professional life.

The New York Times

First, it is not merely "usual" that a case against a sole defendant ends when the defendant's death is confirmed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

In that case, the sole defendants charged with offenses that carried the death penalty were those who actually participated in the bombings.

The New York Times

The notes had been made by Kamel Bourgass, the sole convicted defendant.

The Guardian

Mr. Everhart agreed to testify against Roy T. McCann, the sole remaining defendant among five young men accused of setting the fires.

The New York Times

Mr. Everhart agreed to testify against Roy T. McCann, 23, the sole remaining defendant among five young men accused of setting the fires.

The New York Times

A spokeswoman for the Arapahoe County district attorney, which is prosecuting the case, declined to comment on whether the miscarriage could affect the barrage of charges expected to be filed on Monday against James E. Holmes, the sole criminal defendant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sole defendant", ensure that the context clearly indicates that this individual or entity is the only one facing charges in the specific legal action. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating there are no other defendants.

Common error

Do not assume that "sole defendant" implies the individual acted alone in the underlying events. It only means they are the only one being prosecuted in that particular case. Clarify if other actors were involved but not charged to avoid misrepresenting the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole defendant" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying the individual or entity who is the only one being charged in a legal case. Ludwig examples confirm this usage in various legal and news contexts, aligning with the AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sole defendant" is a common and grammatically correct term used to identify the only party being charged in a legal case. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely employed in both news and academic contexts. While alternatives like "only defendant" or "single defendant" exist, it's crucial to use "sole defendant" with precision to avoid ambiguity regarding the scope of the legal action. Remember, being the "sole defendant" doesn't necessarily mean the individual acted alone, just that they are the only one being prosecuted in that particular instance. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively use "sole defendant" in their legal and journalistic communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only defendant

Replaces "sole" with "only", maintaining the same meaning.

single defendant

Substitutes "sole" with "single", emphasizing the defendant's isolated position.

only accused

Focuses on the accusation rather than the legal standing as a defendant.

individual defendant

Highlights that the defendant is a single person.

named defendant

Specifies that this is the only defendant named in the case.

remaining defendant

Indicates that other defendants might have been involved but are no longer part of the case.

lead defendant

Suggests the defendant is the primary figure in a case with potentially other actors.

principal defendant

Highlights the importance of this defendant compared to possible others.

sole person charged

Shifts the focus to the act of being charged, not just the legal role.

sole party accused

Uses "party" instead of "defendant", broadening the context slightly beyond formal legal settings.

FAQs

How is "sole defendant" used in a sentence?

You can use "sole defendant" to indicate that only one person or entity is being charged in a legal case. For example, "The judge addressed the "sole defendant" before delivering the verdict."

What are some alternatives to saying "sole defendant"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "only defendant", "single defendant", or "only accused" to convey a similar meaning.

What does it mean when someone is the "sole defendant"?

It means that they are the only party being prosecuted in a particular legal case. There may have been other individuals involved in the underlying events, but they are not part of this specific legal action.

Is it correct to say "the sole defendant" or just "sole defendant"?

Both are grammatically correct. Using "the" before "sole defendant" specifies a particular defendant in a specific case, while omitting it can refer more generally to the concept of a single defendant.