CHARGE

charge,n.1. A formal accusation of an offense as a preliminary step to prosecution <a murder charge>. — Also termed criminal charge. [Cases: Criminal Law  208.1.] 2. An instruction or command <a mother’s charge to her son>.3.JURY CHARGE <review the charge for appealable error>.4. An assigned duty or task; a responsibility <the manager’s charge to open and close the office>.5. An encumbrance, lien, or claim <a charge on property>.6. A person or thing entrusted to another’s care <a charge of the estate>.7. Price, cost, or expense <free of charge>.delinquency charge.A charge assessed against a borrower for failing to timely make a payment. finance charge.See FINANCE CHARGE.late charge.An additional fee assessed on a debt when a payment is not received by the due date. noncash charge.A cost (such as depreciation or amortization) that does not involve an outlay of cash.special charge.An ordinary cost of business excluded from income calculations. • The term is meaningless under generally accepted accounting principles because “special charge” expenses do not meet the GAAP test for ex-traordinary items. — Also termed one-time charge; unusual charge; exceptional charge. See extraordinary expense under EXPENSE; operating earnings under EARNINGS.

8.Parliamentary law. A deliberative assembly’s mandate to a committee. — Also termed committee jurisdiction.

charge,vb. 1. To accuse (a person) of an offense <the police charged him with murder>.2. To instruct or command <the dean charged the students to act ethically>.3. To instruct a jury on matters of law <the judge charged the jury on self-defense>. [Cases: Criminal Law  769; Trial  182, 213. C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 1302–1305; Trial §§ 484–486, 488, 492, 498, 500, 548.] 4. To impose a lien or claim; to encumber <charge the land with a tax lien>.5. To entrust with responsibilities or duties <charge the guardian with the ward’s care>.6. To demand a fee; to bill <the clerk charged a small filing fee>.[Blacks Law 8th]