This is the term that describes a person prior to the trial who is charged with a criminal offense.

If the accused is in prison, they will be brought into the courtroom wearing leg shackles and handcuffs, accompanied by a sheriff’s officer. The handcuffs are removed once the accused is seated in the prisoner’s box.

If the accused is out on bail, they are required to attend the proceedings on their own. Meaning, they will be walking around in the hallways prior to the proceedings getting started. They may or may not be required to sit in the prisoner's box.

The accused is present during all the proceedings and may testify, but is not required to do so. In most cases, the accused does not testify.

Mennonite Central Committee Canada. (2011). Getting through the maze: A guidebook for survivors of homicide.

https://www.gov.mb.ca/justice/vs/vsc/pubs/understandingvbr.pdf