Charge copper in criminal case (6)
I believe the answer is:
accuse
'charge' is the definition.
('accuse' can be a synonym of 'charge')
'copper in criminal case' is the wordplay.
'copper' becomes 'cu' (chemical symbol).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'criminal' indicates anagramming the letters.
'case' with letters rearranged gives 'acse'.
'cu' going inside 'acse' is 'ACCUSE'.
(Other definitions for accuse that I've seen before include "Bring a charge" , "From what Zola wrote" , "Arraign or indict" , "Apportion blame" , "make charges" .)