A Newsroom Lawyer’s Pet Peeve: The word “allegedly” is not only not the fig leaf people think it is, but it is often used incorrectly. There is no such charge as “Alleged Murder.”

The murder (apparently) happened, and this person was charged. The correct way to understand this is to remember that in the story’s recitation of facts, that is where “allegedly” goes.

For example, “Jones was charged with bank robbery […] he allegedly told the bank teller ‘give me the money.'”