beschuldigd

Beschuldigd is the past participle of the Dutch verb beschuldigen, meaning to accuse or blame someone for a crime or wrongdoing. In use, it appears in several grammatical contexts.

As part of verb forms, beschuldigd is used in perfect and passive constructions: Hij is beschuldigd van diefstal. It can also appear in past tense: Hij werd beschuldigd van oplichting. With the preposition van, it specifies the alleged crime: beschuldigd van diefstal (accused of theft).

As an adjective or noun, beschuldigd can describe a person or be part of a noun phrase. The most common noun form is de beschuldigde, referring to the person who has been accused. Related forms include beschuldiging, which means the accusation or act of accusing, and de beschuldiging can be used to refer to the accusation itself.

Usage notes: In criminal procedure, the beschuldigde has rights such as the presumption of innocence and the right to defense, depending on the jurisdiction. The term is typical in formal or legal contexts. In everyday language, terms like verdacht (suspect) or aanklager (prosecutor) may be used at different stages of a case.

Etymology: beschuldigd is derived from be- plus schuld (guilt), reflecting the act of laying blame on someone. The word functions across verb, adjective, and noun forms in Dutch.

See also: Beschuldiging, Verdachte, Aanklager, Diefstal.