press charges
idiom
: to take legal action against someone : to officially accuse someone of a crime
He was caught shoplifting, but the store owner didn't press charges.
Examples of press charges in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The decision on whether to press charges has been removed from the young people victimized in the case and their parents, the district attorney said.
—
Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025
Cops in Mount Pleasant, Wisc. were notified last week that a boy wanted to press charges after his mother allegedly stole his favorite treat.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
Rather than press charges, Edna’s daughter offers Finn an alternative path to make things right.
—Matt De La Peña, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Whether or not Brown will press charges against the alleged thief remains unknown.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for press charges
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Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025
Cops in Mount Pleasant, Wisc. were notified last week that a boy wanted to press charges after his mother allegedly stole his favorite treat.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
Rather than press charges, Edna’s daughter offers Finn an alternative path to make things right.
—Matt De La Peña, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Whether or not Brown will press charges against the alleged thief remains unknown.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for press charges
Cite this Entry
“Press charges.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/press%20charges. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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