Short paragraph’s given backing for criminal charge (3)
I believe the answer is:
rap
'criminal charge' is the definition.
(as in taking the rap for something)
'short paragraph's given backing' is the wordplay.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'paragraph' becomes 'para' (short for paragraph).
'given backing' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'para' with its last letter taken away is 'par'.
'par' written backwards gives 'RAP'.
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for rap that I've seen before include "Smack (knuckles)" , "Knock loudly" , "Form of music with spoken lyrics" , "Type of popular music" , "Rhyming monologue recited to rock music below par" .)