In an appellate case, the original defendant appealing the conviction is referred to as the:

In an appellate case, the original defendant who is appealing the conviction is referred to as the appellant. This term specifically designates the party who is seeking to overturn or modify the decision made by a lower court. The appellant believes that there was an error in the trial process, and thus seeks relief through the appellate court's review of the lower court's record and legal rationale.

Understanding the terminology in appellate cases is crucial. The appellant is the one challenging the outcome, whereas the parties opposing the appeal typically include the appellee, who usually seeks to have the lower court decision upheld. The term "respondent" is often used interchangeably with "appellee" in some jurisdictions. Additionally, "litigant" is a general term that refers to anyone involved in a lawsuit, without specifying whether they are appealing or responding to an appeal. Therefore, the correct designation for the original defendant appealing the conviction is the appellant, aligning with the well-defined roles in the appellate process.