Challenges in distinguishing the status of the civil defendant and the accused in criminal proceedings

The article examines the various positions of the legislator regarding the status of the civil defendant and the accused in criminal proceedings, attempts to settle it. The normative legal acts of the Russian Federation have been studied and analyzed. The characteristics of the legal status of the accused and the civil defendant are given, possible options for the participation of a civil defendant in criminal proceedings are considered. Attention is drawn to the current legislation regulating the activities of these persons