Charge (noun)

Definition: A criminal charge is a formal accusation of a crime.

Example: My client is not guilty, you cannot prove the murder charge.

Note: Be careful, charge can have several meanings. We are looking at a ‘criminal charge’.  Do not confuse it with the other types of charge: 

  • Jury charge: A set of instructions given to a jury by the judge in a criminal case;
  • Charge: Expenses, cost or price asked for something. 
  • Charge: An incumbrance on land or property which secures payment of money. 
  • Fixed charge: A security interest or a charge on specific property by the creditor to secure repayment of money.
  • Floating charge: A security interest or a charge over changing assets such as stocks by the creditor to secure repayment of money.

This word features in Episode 18 of the Study Legal English Podcast.