In legal terms, what does the word "allegation" refer to?

The term "allegation" specifically refers to a claim or assertion made in a legal context that has not yet been proven or verified. It represents a statement where one party claims that certain facts are true, but these facts remain unproven and require substantiation in court. This is foundational in legal proceedings, where parties often make allegations that they must later support with evidence.

In contrast, proven facts are established truths that have been accepted by the court following the presentation of evidence. Witness testimonies are statements made by individuals who have observed relevant events and can provide evidence based on their personal accounts. A legal defense refers to the argument made by a defendant in response to charges, aiming to establish innocence or mitigate responsibility. Thus, the distinction lies in understanding that "allegations" are inherently unverified assertions, playing a crucial role in the initial stages of legal processes.