Pretty much no.
Strict liability offenses do not require the defendant to have criminal intent, meaning they can be found guilty regardless of their mental state. Examples include traffic violations and some environmental crimes where the focus is on the action itself rather than the intent behind it.
A DEFENDANT - In criminal cases is the person accused/charged with the crime.
Yes, in a criminal trial it is always the government against the defendant.
no, motive plays no part in criminal liability.
No.
No defendant no charges. It is done.
Sentencing is last step in a criminal prosecution if the defendant is found guilty.
When they're formally charged.
civil liability
lawyer
The sides in a civil trial are the same as a criminal trial. There is a plaintiff and a defendant. In a criminal trial the plaintiff is usually the jurisdictioni charging the defendant.