What typically happens when someone is charged with an offense?

When someone is charged with an offense, they are formally accused of a crime. This process involves a legal announcement that an individual is believed to have committed a specific unlawful act, thereby initiating proceedings within the justice system. This formal accusation lays the groundwork for further legal actions, including court hearings where evidence is presented.

In this context, being exonerated means being declared innocent after the fact, which relates to the outcome of a trial rather than the charging process itself. Similarly, being found not guilty pertains to a verdict delivered after the prosecution has presented its case, which also occurs later in the legal procedure. Finally, sentencing occurs after a conviction has taken place, not immediately upon being charged. Thus, the correct answer encapsulates the essence of what it means to be charged within the legal framework.