Charge

A duty or obligation imposed upon some person; a lien, incumbrance, or claim which is to be satisfied out of the specific thing or proceeds thereof to which it applies. To impose such an obligation; to create such a claim. To accuse. The distinctive significance of the term rests in the idea of obligation directly bearing upon the individual thing or person to be affected, and binding him or it to the discharge of the duty or satisfaction of the claim imposed. Thus, charging an estate with the payment of a debt is appropriating a definite portion to the particular purpose; charging a person with the commission of a crime is pointing out the individual who is bound to answer for the wrong committed; charging a jury is stating the precise principles of law applicable to the case immediately in question. In this view, a charge will, in general terms, denote a responsibility peculiar to the person or thing affected and authoritatively imposed, or the act fixing such responsibility. In Contracts. An obligation, binding upon him who enters into it, which may be removed or taken away by a discharge.

Termes de la Ley

An undertaking to keep the custody of another person's goods. performance. Comyn, Dig. "Rent," c.

6; 2 Ball & B. 223.

In Devises. A duty imposed upon a devisee, either personally, or with respect to the estate devised. In Equity Pleading. An allegation In the bill of matters which disprove or avoid a defense which it is alleged the defendant is supposed to pretend or intend to set up.

Story, Eq. PI. § 31.

In Practice. The instructions given by the court to the grand jury or inquest of the county, at the commencement of their session, in regard to their duty. The exposition by the court to the petit jury of those principles of the law which the latter are bound to apply in order to render such a verdict as will, in the state of facts proved at the trial to exist, establish the rights of the parties to the suit.