What does it mean when you are charged for a crime?

Answer 1

Charged - A formal accusation of an offense which is the preliminary step to prosecution.

It does NOT mean "The Accused Person or Business" has been CONVICTED or found GUILTY of an illegal offense or crime.

More so, it IS an accusation by someone representing the law, most likely a police officer.

It DOES mean that the "The Accused Person or Business" will go before a court of law where a prosecutor - which is an attorney representing the Federal Government - will attempt to prove to the court that "The Accused Person or Business" is guilty of the said illegal offense or crime.

Answer 2

If you were actually placed under arrest, then "booked" the 'booking' procedure is the second step in the process. The offense for which you were arrested and booked will be the offense that the police will present to the prosecutor in support of the prosecutor's formal charge in court.