accuse of X charge with

Lenka · #1 (**permalink**) 11-Nov-2006, 17:46

What is the difference between these two wrods?

accuse of
charge with

**Ouisch** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-Nov-2006, 18:17

If you are accused of a crime, that means that you are a suspect. Authorities have reason to believe that you may have committed a crime. The police can bring you in for questioning (of course, you have the right to remain silent, and you can have your attorney present for questioning) but they cannot legally detain you. That is, you are free to leave at any time.

If you have been charged with a crime, authorities believe that they have enough evidence to prove you committed a crime. You will be arreseted and detained until you appear in front of a judge for a formal arraignment. There you'll have a chance to plead "guilty" or "not guilty". Usually the judge will also set an amount for your bail and will schedule a date for your trial. You'll be returned to prison, but if are able to pay the bail money, you'll be released and will remain free (usually with certain conditions, such as you are not allowed to leave the state without permission) until your official trial.

Avalon · #3 (**permalink**) 11-Nov-2006, 18:31

fab explanation Ouisch, thanx.. then we have arrested, like someone was arrested charged with pedophilia, for instance, and cannot leave the bars at all? Imagine this dialog..
He´s been arrested...
Gosh! What with/for? What are the charges/ What is he being charged with/for? ... is that correct? or as I just proofread for is incorrect, used only for money matters..

mykwyner · #4 (**permalink**) 11-Nov-2006, 20:06

I agree with Ouisch, except anyone can accuse you of committing a crime, but only the police and the courts can charge you with that crime.

You can accuse George Bush of being a mass-murderer, or you can accuse your babysitter of being late, but you can't charge either of them with anything.

**curmudgeon** · #5 (**permalink**) 11-Nov-2006, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalon

fab explanation Ouisch, thanx.. then we have arrested, like someone was arrested charged with pedophilia, for instance, and cannot leave the bars at all? Imagine this dialog..
He´s been arrested...
Gosh! What with/for? What are the charges/ What is he being charged with/for? ... is that correct? or as I just proofread for is incorrect, used only for money matters..

When you say cannnot leave the bars, I assume you mean prison bars?

Avalon · #6 (**permalink**) 12-Nov-2006, 03:53

yes, I mean prison bars...and my question is not clear...Can I say he was charged for a heinous crime, or I can only use with, in this case?

**curmudgeon** · #7 (**permalink**) 12-Nov-2006, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalon

yes, I mean prison bars...and my question is not clear...Can I say he was charged for a heinous crime, or I can only use with, in this case?

Only 'with'

Avalon · #8 (**permalink**) 12-Nov-2006, 13:26

Okay, only charged with... thank you ..

Lenka · #9 (**permalink**) 13-Nov-2006, 16:20

thanks

Lenka · #10 (**permalink**) 14-Jan-2007, 18:48

This is what I have read in a textbook today:

Quote:

"Jake commited a crime when he robbed a post office. He stole 5,000 pounds. a witness managed to take a photograph of him. The police arrested him and charged him with robbery. The case came to court two months later. ..."

I don't think I can understand the difference between charge with and accuse of already. I thought that you can be charged with some crime only if you are convicted of commiting the crime - is that right? Anyway, Jake was not convicted at the court yet!
Is it because of the photograph? Was the verb "to charge with" used because of the fact that the police could be sure (because of the photograph) he was really guilty?


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