When a prosecutor charges someone with a crime.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
prosecute (verb)transitive verb
1.
to follow to the end pursue until finished - prosecute a war
2.
to engage in - perform
3.
a) to bring legal action against for redress or punishment of a crime or violation of law
intransitive verb
b) to institute legal proceedings with reference to - prosecute a claim to institute and carry on a legal suit or - prosecution
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
prosecute (verb)to carry through (as a process) to completion
SYNONYMS:
accomplish, achieve, bring off, carry off, carry out, commit, compass, do, execute, follow through (with), fulfill ( fulfil), make, negotiate, perpetrate, prosecute, pull off, put throughRELATED WORDS:
bring about, effect, effectuate, implement; ace, nail; engage (in), practice ( practise); work (at); reduplicate, reenact, repeat; actualize, attain, realize; complete, end, finish, wind upNEAR ANTONYMS:
fail; skimp, slight, slur