John Doe (hypothetical plaintiff)

John Doe is a placeholder name used in legal contexts to refer to a hypothetical or unspecified person, typically a plaintiff or defendant. It allows courts to discuss cases without revealing the individual's identity, often used when the actual name is unknown or is being protected for privacy reasons. The term "Jane Doe" serves the same purpose for female individuals. This practice helps maintain confidentiality while enabling legal proceedings to occur and facilitates discussion about legal principles in scenarios that are not tied to real individuals.