California · Penal Code

PEN §1562: The party prosecuting a special proceeding of a criminal nature is designated in this Code as the complainant, and the adverse party as the defendant.

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute defines the parties in a criminal special proceeding: the prosecuting party is called the complainant, and the other party is called the defendant.

Read the full statutory text

The party prosecuting a special proceeding of a criminal nature is designated in this Code as the complainant, and the adverse party as the defendant.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.