What are the two ways that charges may be filed against a defendant?

What are the two ways that charges may be filed against a defendant?

Two Ways to Charge: By Information, Complaint, or Petition; or Indictment By a Grand Jury | CriminalDefenseLawyer.com.

What are the four types of charging documents?

There are three types of charging documents: an Indictment, a Complaint, and an Information.

What is a written statement in court called?

affidavit – A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it. Affidavits must be notarized or administered by an officer of the court with such authority. Appeals can be made for a variety of reasons including improper procedure and asking the court to change its interpretation of the law.

What is a formal accusation?

Law dictionary. accusation — /ikyszeyshan/ A formal charge against a person, to the effect that he is guilty of a punishable offense, laid before a court or magistrate having jurisdiction to inquire into the alleged crime.

What are 2 kinds of legal cases?

Civil and Criminal Cases The law deals with two kinds of cases.

Who decides if charges are filed?

A criminal case usually gets started with a police arrest report. The prosecutor then decides what criminal charges to file, if any. Some cases go to a preliminary hearing, where a judge decides if there is enough evidence to proceed. Cases can also start when a grand jury issues a criminal indictment.

What is a charging document called?

Indictment – An indictment is a formal document issued by a Grand Jury, charging the Defendant of committing a crime(s). The U.S. Attorney or an Assistant U.S. Attorney appears before a Grand Jury and presents evidence to show a person has committed a crime and that they should be formally charged for it.

What is considered a charging document?

A charging document is a pleading that initiates criminal charges against a defendant. It—not arrest—signifies the commencement of a criminal case. Complaints, informations, and indictments are charging documents.

What are the two kinds of suspended sentence?

The two kinds of suspended sentences are suspension of imposition of sentence and suspension of execution of sentence.

Can a written statement be typed?

Generally, you can write out an affidavit by hand, type it or print it. When a party or a witness to an action makes a written statement to the court, it usually must be presented in affidavit form. This means that the person making the statement sets out facts and swears that they are true under penalty of perjury.

Who initiates the plea bargain?

prosecutor
In California, the prosecutor may offer a plea bargain that requires the defendant’s guilty plea to a “wet” reckless. This lesser charge is a misdemeanor. It is a less serious offense that comes with lower penalties and often less jail time.

Is a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime?

An indictment is a formal announcement officially accusing someone of a crime. In the U.S. and the U.K., the law requires an indictment in order to charge someone with a serious crime or felony. This process is intended to ensure that a case only goes to trial if there is sufficient evidence.

Can a prosecutor draw up a charging document?

Other jurisdictions will permit such “charging documents” to be used, or permit a prosecutor to draw up a more precise accusatory document, or even accuse you of additional criminal charges, by way of a typewritten accusation, information or complaint that more clearly states how and when the offenses occurred.

How are the charges read at an arraignment?

However, at your first appearance before the court to announce whether you plead guilty or not guilty (called your “arraignment”), the charges will be read to you in a manner and language that you can comprehend. What are the “charging documents” used in a criminal prosecution?

What kind of charges can I be charged with?

For example, if the search of your vehicle uncovered marijuana, you may face charges (beyond possession of controlled substances – drugs) for DUI-DWI (alcohol), plus a separate charge of DUI-DWI (contraband drugs), plus DUI-DWI (alcohol and drugs, in combination).

What does it mean to plead guilty in a criminal case?

plea – In a criminal case, the defendant’s statement pleading “guilty” or “not guilty” in answer to the charges in open court. A plea of nolo contendere or an Alford plea may also be made. A guilty plea allows the defendant to forego a trial.