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charge definition - legal

n

  1. The formal allegation, contained in an indictment, information, or presentment, that a person committed a specific crime.
  2. An instruction to the jury.
  3. A claim, debt, encumbrance, or lien.
  4. An individual or thing placed in anotherÂ’s care.
Allen charge
An instruction given, generally in a criminal trial, encouraging a jury to continue its deliberations after reporting a deadlock, on the basis that considerable expense and time has gone into the trial of the matter and the jury should make every effort to come to a resolution. See also jury instruction(s).

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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