Arguido (pronounced [ɐɾˈɣwiðu]; if male) or arguida (pronounced [ɐɾˈɣwiðɐ]; if female), normally translated "named suspect" or "formal suspect",[1] is a status in Portuguese type legal systems, including those of Portugal, Macau, Angola[2] and Mozambique.
[6] If a person becomes an arguido, they automatically gain certain rights that a witness or suspect would not have.
[5] The investigating police may ask the arguido more direct accusatory questions (the answers to which would not be admissible in court if possibly self-incriminatory and asked of a non-arguido) but the arguido must be presented with whatever evidence is held against them,[7] and unlike a witness has the right to remain silent,[8] not to answer any question that may incriminate the person, and does not face legal action for lying.
[1] The police may ask a court to restrict an arguido's movement and oblige them to not leave the country.
[11] The status is very similar to that of being "questioned under caution" under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act in the United Kingdom or being questioned after being read one's "Miranda Rights" in the United States, specifically the right to legal representation, the liberty to refuse to answer questions, and the admissibility in court of statements taken whilst in those statuses.