What verb describes the act of presenting a formal, written accusation charging a defendant with a crime?

What verb describes the act of presenting a formal, written accusation charging a defendant with a crime?

• A. Indict
• B. Accuse
• C. Prosecute
• D. Indictment

Answer: (A)

Indict is the formal act of charging someone with a crime, typically carried out through a grand jury. The resulting document is called an indictment, but the action described by the verb is to indict. Accuse is a general statement of wrongdoing, not a formal charging action. Prosecute means to pursue the case in court, not to issue the formal charge. Indictment refers to the written charge itself, not the act of presenting it.

Indict is the formal act of charging someone with a crime, typically carried out through a grand jury. The resulting document is called an indictment, but the action described by the verb is to indict. Accuse is a general statement of wrongdoing, not a formal charging action. Prosecute means to pursue the case in court, not to issue the formal charge. Indictment refers to the written charge itself, not the act of presenting it.