Terms Used In Tennessee Code 23-2-101

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.

At the return term of the process, the court may appoint counsel for the plaintiff in actions prosecuted in the manner prescribed for paupers, and also for the defendant, if the defendant makes an oath that, owing to the defendant’s poverty, the defendant cannot employ counsel.