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
Findings were presented to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office, which declined to press charges, police said.
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Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
The district attorney later declined to press charges, citing a lack of evidence.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
According to the report, the woman whose hair was pulled did not want to press charges against anyone.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Did his arrival and acknowledgment of his relationship with the driver influence the officers’ decision not to administer a breathalyzer or press charges?
—Dominick Vargas, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025
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Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
The district attorney later declined to press charges, citing a lack of evidence.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
According to the report, the woman whose hair was pulled did not want to press charges against anyone.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Did his arrival and acknowledgment of his relationship with the driver influence the officers’ decision not to administer a breathalyzer or press charges?
—Dominick Vargas, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 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 13 Mar. 2025.
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