Accusation

n.	1.
	1.	The act of accusing or charging with a crime or with a lighter offense. We come not by the way of accusation To taint that honor every good tongue blesses. - Shak.
	2.	That of which one is accused; the charge of an offense or crime, or the declaration containing the charge. [They] set up over his head his accusation. - Matt. xxvii. 37.

Noun	1.	accusation - a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt Synonyms: accusal
	2.	accusation - an assertion that someone is guilty of a fault or offence; "the newspaper published charges that Jones was guilty of drunken driving" Synonyms: charge

ACCUSATION, crim. law. A charge made to a competent officer against one who has committed a crime or misdemeanor, so that he may be brought to justice and punishment.
     2. A neglect to accuse may in some cases be considered a misdemeanor, or misprision. (q.v.) 1 Bro. Civ. Law, 247; 2 Id. 389; Inst. lib. 4, tit. 18.
     3. It is a rule that no man is bound to accuse himself, or to testify against himself in a criminal case. Accusare nemo se debet nisi coram Deo. Vide Evidence; Interest; Witness.

accusal, accuse, allegation, blame, charge, complaint, criminate, impeach, implication, imprecation, imputation, incriminate, incrimination, inculpation, indictment, information, preferment, recrimination, self-accusation, self-condemnation