tiltalad

Til talad is a legal term used in some Nordic languages to refer to a person who has been formally charged with a crime and is facing trial. In Danish, the corresponding form is tiltalte, used for the accused; in Norwegian, tiltalt is used. The term conveys the status of being under formal accusation before a court. In Swedish-language contexts, the closest standard term is åtalad, while translations into English often render tiltalad as the accused or indicted.

Usage and scope vary by jurisdiction, but tiltalad generally denotes a defendant who has progressed beyond mere suspicion and has been charged by a public prosecutor. This status is typically distinct from being a suspect or person under investigation. The exact rights and procedures afforded to a tiltalad depend on the country’s criminal procedure, but common elements include notification of charges, access to legal representation, and the opportunity to present a defense in court. The process may result in acquittal, conviction and sentencing, or dismissal of charges.

Etymology and linguistic notes: the term derives from the verb tiltale in Danish and Norwegian, meaning to address or to accuse; the related forms tiltalte (Danish) and tiltalt (Norwegian) are the usual past participle constructions. The use of tiltalad and its variants reflects differences in spelling and legal terminology across Nordic languages, but the underlying concept remains the same: a person formally charged and awaiting or undergoing judicial proceedings.

See also: defendant, indictment, accused, suspect, criminal procedure.