press charges
Initiate legal action
Press charges means to formally accuse someone of a crime and request that legal proceedings begin against them.
Despite the phrasing, private citizens don't actually file charges—prosecutors do.
When someone says I'm not going to press charges, they mean they won't pursue the matter or cooperate with prosecution.
The store owner decided to press charges against the shoplifter.
Bring criminal charges
- indictFormally charge with crime
- criminal complaintFormal accusation of offense
- accuseClaim someone did wrong
- allegeAssert without substantiation
incriminate · implicate · formal accusation · sworn statement · police report · victim statement · complainant · accuser
Charge-reading court session
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- summonsFormal court notification
- warrantFormal authorization document
- arrestSeize by law
booking · bail · hearing · plea · trial · verdict · conviction · acquittal
Reach final terms
- pursueFollow to catch
- victim's rightsEntitlements for those harmed
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- reluctantUnwilling to act
cooperate · come forward · report · file · withdraw · dismiss · plea bargain · out of court
prosecute
Bring criminal charges
- indictFormally charge with crime
- criminal complaintFormal accusation of offense
- accuseClaim someone did wrong
allege · incriminate · implicate · formal accusation · sworn statement · police report · victim statement · complainant · accuser · allegation
arraignment
Charge-reading court session
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- summonsFormal court notification
- warrantFormal authorization document
arrest · booking · bail · hearing · plea · trial · verdict · conviction · acquittal · sentence
settle
Reach final terms
- pursueFollow to catch
- victim's rightsEntitlements for those harmed
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
reluctant · cooperate · come forward · report · file · withdraw · dismiss · plea bargain · out of court · refusing
press chargesforgive
Cease to blame
pardon · show mercy · let off the hook · absolve · reconcile
press, charge, presses, pressed, pressing, pressure, pressurize, compress, compression