n. | 1. | |
1. | The act of accusing or charging with a crime or with a lighter offense. | |
2. | That of which one is accused; the charge of an offense or crime, or the declaration containing the charge. |
Noun | 1. | ![]() Synonyms: accusal |
2. | accusation - an assertion that someone is guilty of a fault or offence; "the newspaper published charges that Jones was guilty of drunken driving" Synonyms: charge |
ACCUSATION, crim. law. A charge made to a competent officer against one who
has committed a crime or misdemeanor, so that he may be brought to justice
and punishment.
2. A neglect to accuse may in some cases be considered a misdemeanor,
or misprision. (q.v.) 1 Bro. Civ. Law, 247; 2 Id. 389; Inst. lib. 4, tit.
18.
3. It is a rule that no man is bound to accuse himself, or to testify
against himself in a criminal case. Accusare nemo se debet nisi coram Deo.
Vide Evidence; Interest; Witness.