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charge legal definition
noun
- The formal allegation, contained in an indictment, information, or presentment, that a person committed a specific crime.
- An instruction to the jury.
- A claim, debt, encumbrance, or lien.
- An individual or thing placed in anotherÂ’s care.
Allen charge
An instruction given, generally in a criminal trial, encouraging a jury
to continue its deliberations after reporting a deadlock, on the basis that
considerable expense and time has gone into the trial of the matter and the
jury should make every effort to come to a resolution. See also jury instruction(s).
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