criminal charge
Indictment against someone
A criminal charge is a formal accusation by a government authority that someone has committed a crime.
Being charged is the first step in prosecution—it precedes trial and doesn't imply guilt.
Someone may face charges, have charges dropped, or plead to lesser charges: She was arrested on drug charges.
The phrase distinguishes from civil complaints, which involve disputes between private parties rather than alleged crimes against the state.
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- Miranda rightsSuspect's custodial advisement
- burglaryIllegal entry to commit crime
- theftUnlawful taking of property
prosecution · vandalism · penal code · embezzlement · white collar crime · fraud · plea bargain · felony · bail · evidence · misdemeanor · first degree · aggravated assault · filing · trial · information · assault · incarceration
- criminal trialarraignment, defense attorney, courtroom, prosecutor, charges
- legal troubleslawsuit, civil suit, arrest, prosecution, investigation
- prosecutionprosecutor, district attorney, DA, prosecution, public prosecutors
- church scandalspriest abuse, cover-up, cover-ups, coverups, sexual misconduct
- penaltiespenalty, fine, civil penalty, infractions, monetary penalty
- legal proceedingstrial, verdict, lawsuit, testimony, plea
criminal chargeacquittal
Formal clearing of charges
exoneration · not guilty verdict · conviction · dismissal · dropped charges
criminal chargecivil suit
Private legal dispute
civil complaint · civil litigation · lawsuit · civil lawsuit · civil action