Bring/press/prefer charges against somebody
verb phrase
To formally accuse someone of a crime in a court of law.
The prosecutor decided to press charges against the man for robbery.
Often appears as...
- decide to press charges
- threaten to press charges
Usage tips
Formal
verb phrase
To make an official complaint against someone in court.
The victim decided not to bring charges against her attacker.
Often appears as...
- refuse to bring charges
- plan to bring charges
Usage tips
Formal
verb phrase
To make a formal statement saying that someone has done something illegal.
The state prefers charges against those who violate the law.
Often appears as...
- state prefers charges
- authority prefers charges
Usage tips
Formal
verb phrase
To formally accuse someone of a crime in a court of law.
The prosecutor decided to press charges against the man for robbery.
Often appears as...
- decide to press charges
- threaten to press charges
Usage tips
Formal
verb phrase
To make an official complaint against someone in court.
The victim decided not to bring charges against her attacker.
Often appears as...
- refuse to bring charges
- plan to bring charges
Usage tips
Formal
verb phrase
To make a formal statement saying that someone has done something illegal.
The state prefers charges against those who violate the law.
Often appears as...
- state prefers charges
- authority prefers charges
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Action
Used when someone initiates a legal process for a wrongdoing, often criminal.
They will press charges against the hacker who breached their systems.
Pro Tip 2/3Prosecutor's Choice
The phrase indicates the prosecutor's intention to take someone to court.
The district attorney may press charges against the company for fraud.
Pro Tip 3/3Implying Guilt
Suggests that the accused is believed to have committed the crime.
Despite the evidence, no one pressed charges against the politician.
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Action
Used when someone initiates a legal process for a wrongdoing, often criminal.
They will press charges against the hacker who breached their systems.
Pro Tip 2/3Prosecutor's Choice
The phrase indicates the prosecutor's intention to take someone to court.
The district attorney may press charges against the company for fraud.
Pro Tip 3/3Implying Guilt
Suggests that the accused is believed to have committed the crime.
Despite the evidence, no one pressed charges against the politician.
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Action
Used when someone initiates a legal process for a wrongdoing, often criminal.
They will press charges against the hacker who breached their systems.
Pro Tip 2/3Prosecutor's Choice
The phrase indicates the prosecutor's intention to take someone to court.
The district attorney may press charges against the company for fraud.
Pro Tip 3/3Implying Guilt
Suggests that the accused is believed to have committed the crime.
Despite the evidence, no one pressed charges against the politician.
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