Accusation vs. Indictment — What's the Difference?

An accusation is a statement by one person asserting that another person or entity has done something improper. The person who makes the accusation is an accuser, while the subject against whom it is made is the accused.

An indictment ( in-DYT-mənt) is a criminal accusation that a person has committed a crime. In jurisdictions that use the concept of felonies, the most serious criminal offence is a felony; jurisdictions that do not use the felonies concept often use that of an indictable offence, an offence that requires an indictment.

A charge or claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong

A set of written criminal charges issued against a party, where a grand jury, under the guidance of a prosecutor, has found that sufficient evidence exists to justify trying the party for that crime.

An act of accusing or the state of being accused.

The act or process of obtaining such charges.

A charge of wrongdoing that is made against a person or other party.

A document or other communication that makes accusations of wrongdoing or describes an unacceptable situation

The act of accusing.

(legal) An official formal accusation for a criminal offence, or the process by which it is brought to a jury.

(legal) A formal charge brought against a person in a court of law.

(legal) The official legal document outlining the charges concerned; bill of indictment.

An allegation.

An accusation of wrongdoing; a criticism or condemnation.

The act of accusing or charging with a crime or with a lighter offense.

Evidence of failure or poor performance.

That of which one is accused; the charge of an offense or crime, or the declaration containing the charge.

The act of indicting, or the state of being indicted.

A formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt

The formal statement of an offense, as framed by the prosecuting authority of the State, and found by the grand jury.

An assertion that someone is guilty of a fault or offence;

An accusation in general; a formal accusation.

A formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense

An accusation of wrongdoing;