prosecute

To institute legal proceedings against someone; to conduct criminal charges in court; (formal) to continue or follow up on a course of action.

• prosecution/ˌprɒsɪˈkjuːʃən/(n)起诉
• prosecutor/ˈprɒsɪkjuːtər/(n)检察官

• prosecute a crime
• prosecute offenders
• prosecution case
• criminal prosecution
• prosecute to the full extent

1. 1.The government decided to prosecute the company for environmental violations. (bring legal charges)
2. 2.Trespassers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. (pursue legal action)

• charge/tʃɑːrdʒ/— to formally accuse — simpler
• indict/ɪnˈdaɪt/— to formally charge with a serious crime — US law
• sue/suː/— to bring a lawsuit — civil law

from Latin "prosequi" (to follow up, to pursue) — pro- (forward) + sequi (to follow) — following through with legal action