Definitions
- A formal accusation of a crime made by a grand jury. - Referring to the process of formally charging someone with a crime. - Talking about a legal document that outlines the charges against a defendant.
- Referring to the act of formally accusing someone of a crime. - Talking about the responsibility or duty assigned to someone. - Describing the cost or fee for a service or product.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words are related to the legal system and criminal justice.
- 2Both words involve the formal accusation of a crime.
- 3Both words can be used as verbs or nouns.
- 4Both words have negative connotations.
- 5Both words can result in legal consequences for the accused.
What is the difference?
- 1Process: Indictment is a formal accusation made by a grand jury, while charge can be made by a prosecutor or police officer.
- 2Severity: Indictment is typically reserved for serious crimes, while charge can be used for a range of offenses.
- 3Timing: Indictment usually comes after an investigation, while charge can be made at any point during an investigation.
- 4Scope: Indictment outlines specific charges against a defendant, while charge can refer to the act of accusing someone of a crime or the specific offense itself.
- 5Usage: Indictment is more formal and legalistic than charge, which is more commonly used in everyday language.
Remember this!
Indictment and charge are both related to the formal accusation of a crime, but they differ in their severity, process, timing, scope, and usage. Indictment is a formal accusation made by a grand jury for serious crimes, while charge can be made by a prosecutor or police officer for a range of offenses. Indictment is more formal and legalistic, while charge is more commonly used in everyday language.