pre·fer /pri-'fər/ vt pre·ferred, pre·fer·ring
1: to give (a creditor or debt) priority or preference
any preferred charges such as child support or alimony — In re Smiley, 427 P.2d 179 (1967)
2: to bring forward for determination; esp: to bring (a charge) against someone
the various means by which a grand jury might prefer charges — State v. Byrd, 399 S.E.2d 267 (1990)
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.