Law Dictionary Definitions

accuser.Eccles. law.  A  person who accuses another of a  crime. • In ecclesiastical courts, an accuser cannot be a person who  has been convicted  of a crime,  has been excommunicated,  or is otherwise disqualified. [Blacks Law 8th]

accused,adj.  Of  or  relating  to  someone  or  something  implicated  in  wrongdoing  <  accused infringer>; esp., of or relating to a product that allegedly infringes someone’s intellectual-property rights <accused device> <accused work>. accused,n.1.  A  person  who  has  been  blamed  for  wrongdoing;  esp.,  a  person  who  has  been arrested and brought before a  magistrate or  who  has…

accuse,vb. To charge (a person) judicially or publicly with an offense; to make an accusation against <she accused him of the crime> <he was accused as an accomplice>. [Blacks Law 8th]

accusatrix (<<schwa>>-kyoo-z<<schwa>>-triks), n. Hist. A female accuser. [Blacks Law 8th]

accusatory stage.Criminal procedure. The point in a criminal proceeding  when the suspect’s right  to  counsel  attaches.  •  This  occurs  usu.  after  arrest  and  once  interrogation  begins.  Cf. CRITICAL STAGE. [Cases: Criminal Law    641.3. C.J.S. Criminal Law § 282.] [Blacks Law 8th]

accusatory procedure.See ADVERSARY SYSTEM. [Blacks Law 8th]

accusatory pleading.See PLEADING(1). [Blacks Law 8th]

accusatory part.The section of an indictment in which the offense is named. [Blacks Law 8th]

accusatory instrument.See CHARGING INSTRUMENT. [Blacks Law 8th]

accusatory body.A body (such as a grand jury) that hears evidence and determines whether a person should be charged with a crime. [Blacks Law 8th]