What Does It Mean to Be Charged?

A criminal charge is a formal accusation made by a governmental authority asserting that somebody has committed a crime.

What does it mean when someone is charged?

When a person is charged with a crime, a formal allegation (a statement not yet proven) of an offense is made. ... Indictments are charges that initiate a criminal case, presented by a grand jury and usually for felonies or other serious crimes. One can be charged with lesser crimes, too, called misdemeanors.

Does being charged mean you're going to jail?

No, being charged is not the same as being arrested. Being arrested means that the police believe that you likely committed a crime. Usually, you will go on to face criminal charges after an arrest, but not always. The state attorney may or may not decide to bring criminal charges after an arrest.