Criminal charges are formal accusations of criminal conduct made by a governmental authority against a person or entity. Criminal charges are usually filed or initiated by a city, county, state, or the federal government, acting through a public prosecutor—also known as a municipal prosecutor, county attorney, district attorney, state attorney general, or United States Attorney (for federal crimes). Criminal charges range from low-level misdemeanors such as traffic tickets to first degree felonies such as capital murder.
The charging document in which the specific crime(s) alleged to have been committed are specified may be referred to as (1) a complaint; (2) an information; (3) an indictment; (4) a citation; or (5) a traffic ticket.
In Louisiana (LA), criminal charges are formal accusations made by the state against individuals or entities suspected of violating criminal laws. The process of filing criminal charges is typically initiated by a public prosecutor, who may be referred to as a city prosecutor, parish district attorney, or the United States Attorney in the case of federal crimes. The types of criminal charges can vary widely, from minor misdemeanors, such as traffic violations, to serious felonies, including capital murder. The specific criminal charges are detailed in a charging document, which may take the form of a complaint, an information, or an indictment. A complaint is often used for initiating misdemeanor charges, while an information or indictment is used for felony charges. An indictment is a formal charge issued by a grand jury, whereas an information is a charge filed by a prosecutor without a grand jury. Citations and traffic tickets are used for minor infractions and regulatory offenses. The exact process and terminology can vary depending on the jurisdiction within the state and the level of the alleged crime.