Investigado

Investigado is a term used in Spanish and Portuguese to denote a person who is under investigation by authorities for suspected involvement in a crime or wrongdoing. It is used both as a noun and as an adjective to describe the status of a person or the proceedings centered on an inquiry. The term is common in legal, administrative, and journalistic contexts.

Within criminal procedures, an investigado is typically subject to inquiry conducted by police, prosecutors, or judicial bodies. The status signals that there is reasonable suspicion to pursue an investigation, but it does not establish guilt. Rights typically associated with the investigado include access to information about the inquiry, legal representation, and presumption of innocence while the investigation unfolds. The exact procedures and protections depend on the jurisdiction.

The transition from investigado to other statuses varies by country. In some systems, formal charging may lead to the terms imputado or acusado, while in others the label investigado remains adjacent to the early phase of the process. The outcome of the investigation can result in charges, dismissal, or other dispositions.

Etymology: The word derives from the verb investigar, used in both Spanish and Portuguese to denote the act of inquiring or examining.