åtalad

Åtalad is a Swedish legal term for a person who has been charged with a crime through an indictment (åtal) filed by a public prosecutor. The status arises after an investigation in which the prosecutor believes there is sufficient evidence to prosecute.

Once an indictment is issued, the person named in the case becomes the åtalad, and the matter proceeds to trial in a district court (tingsrätt). Depending on the case, the åtalad may be in custody or released on bail during proceedings.

Being åtalad does not mean the person is guilty. Sweden follows the presumption of innocence; a verdict of guilt requires a court decision based on evidence presented at the main hearing. The åtalad has rights, including access to legal counsel, the right to be informed of the charges, to present evidence, and to appeal a verdict.

In media and everyday language, åtalad is used to designate the defendant facing charges. In court, the term most commonly used is den tilltalade (the defendant), but åtalad remains a standard description in reporting and official records.

Related terms include åtal (the indictment) and åklagare (the prosecutor). The status of åtalad continues until a verdict is reached, charges are dropped, or the case is dismissed.