charge
A charge is an official statement by the police or a court that says a person has committed a crime. It is the first formal step in a legal case against someone.
Examples
3 of 5The police gave him a charge for driving too fast.
The police officially accused him of speeding.
The defendant faces a serious charge of theft in the high court.
The person in court is accused of stealing something valuable.
He's got a charge on his record now because of that fight.
His criminal history now shows he was accused of fighting.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'charger' for a phone. Just as a charger puts power into a phone, a legal 'charge' puts a 'crime' onto a person's record.
Quick Quiz
The police decided to ____ the charges because they found no evidence.
Correct!
The correct answer is: drop
Examples
The police gave him a charge for driving too fast.
everydayThe police officially accused him of speeding.
The defendant faces a serious charge of theft in the high court.
formalThe person in court is accused of stealing something valuable.
He's got a charge on his record now because of that fight.
informalHis criminal history now shows he was accused of fighting.
The paper examines how a murder charge affects a person's rights.
academicThe academic article looks at how being accused of murder changes someone's legal status.
The company faces a charge of fraud regarding its taxes.
businessThe business is officially accused of lying about its tax money.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
bring a charge against
to officially accuse someone in court
on a charge of
being accused specifically of a certain crime
summary charge
a charge for a minor or small crime
Often Confused With
A charge is the accusation at the start; a sentence is the punishment at the end.
A charge is the statement of the crime; a fine is the money you pay as punishment.
Usage Notes
In a legal context, 'charge' is usually used with the preposition 'of' followed by the name of the crime, such as a 'charge of theft'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the legal 'charge' with 'charge' meaning the cost of an item or 'charge' as in a battery.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'charger' for a phone. Just as a charger puts power into a phone, a legal 'charge' puts a 'crime' onto a person's record.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'chargier', meaning to load, burden, or put a weight on something.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking legal systems, you are 'innocent until proven guilty' even if you have a charge against you.
Quick Quiz
The police decided to ____ the charges because they found no evidence.
Correct!
The correct answer is: drop
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
A court is a flat, rectangular area marked with lines for pl...
crimeA crime is an action that is against the law and is punishab...
judgeA judge is a person who works in a court of law and makes of...
lawyerA lawyer is a professional person who studies the law and he...
arrestThe act of legally seizing someone and taking them into cust...
More law words
justice
A1Justice is the quality of being fair and reasonable in how people are treated. It also refers to the legal system and the way laws are used to punish people who do wrong.
verdict
A1A verdict is the official decision made by a jury or judge in a court of law about whether someone is guilty or not guilty. It is also used to describe a person's final opinion or judgment about something after testing or considering it.
trial
A1A formal process in a court of law to decide if someone is guilty of a crime. It involves a judge, and sometimes a jury, who listen to evidence and witnesses.
hearing
A1In a legal context, a hearing is a formal meeting where a judge or official listens to facts and arguments about a specific issue. It is typically shorter and less formal than a full trial but follows strict legal rules.
litigation
A1Litigation is the process of using a court of law to solve a legal disagreement. It involves a judge or jury making a final decision about a dispute between people or companies.
testimony
A1A formal statement given by a witness in a court of law or a public meeting. It is also used to describe something that serves as clear proof that a fact is true.
witness
A1A witness is a person who sees an event, such as a crime or an accident, take place. In a legal context, this person provides information or evidence in a court about what they observed.
crime
A1A crime is an action that is against the law and is punishable by the government. It refers to illegal activities like stealing or hurting someone.
criminal
A1A person who has committed a crime or done something illegal. This word describes someone who breaks the law and may be punished by the police or a court.
felony
A1A felony is a very serious crime, such as murder or armed robbery. In legal systems, it is a crime that is punished more severely than a minor offense, often resulting in more than one year in prison.
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