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Criminal charges

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 Massachusetts, criminal charges are formal allegations of unlawful behavior brought against individuals or entities by the government. These charges can be initiated by local (city or town), county, or state authorities, and in the case of federal offenses, by the United States government. The Commonwealth's prosecutors, such as district attorneys or the attorney general, are responsible for filing these charges. Criminal offenses in Massachusetts range from minor misdemeanors, like traffic violations, to serious felonies, including murder. The specific criminal charges are detailed in charging documents, which may take the form of a complaint, an information, or an indictment. A complaint is typically used for misdemeanors and some felonies, an information follows a preliminary hearing for a felony where a judge finds probable cause, and an indictment is issued by a grand jury for more serious felonies. Citations and traffic tickets are used for minor infractions and traffic offenses.

Legal Articles

State Statutes

accessory after the fact accomplice crimes actus reus and mens rea aggravated sexual assault aggravated sexual assault of child aiding a suicide aiding and abetting criminal acts alibi animal cruelty arson assault assault on a police officer assault with a deadly weapon

bad checks battery bestiality bigamy blackmail breaking and entering bribery burglary burglary of building or habitation

defenses — castle doctrine defenses — duress and necessity defenses — entrapment defenses — heat of passion defenses — insanity defense defenses — intoxication defenses — self-defense / stand your ground defenses — statutory rape defrauding an innkeeper disorderly conduct distribution of controlled substance dogfighting driving with a suspended license

elder abuse embezzlement evading arrest or detention extortion extraterritorial sexual exploitation

failure to ID failure to register as sex offender failure to stop and render aid fake ID false impersonation false imprisonment falsely reporting a crime federal crimes felonies felony murder rule fireworks laws forgery

handicap placard misuse harassment hate crimes homicide honest services fraud human trafficking

identity theft improper educator - student relationship incest indecent exposure intoxication assault intoxication manslaughter involuntary manslaughter

kidnapping

lewd acts with a minor

mail fraud manslaughter manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance marijuana minor in possession misdemeanors murder

obscenity open container

peeping Tom laws perjury possession of controlled substance prescription drug fraud probation violation prostitution providing alcohol to minor public intoxication public lewdness

rape receiving stolen property resisting arrest revenge pornography RICO rioting road rage robbery

securities fraud sexting sextortion sexual assault sexual assault of a child sexually transmitted diseases shoplifting solicitation of a minor stalking statutory rape

tax evasion theft traveling for illegal sexual conduct treason

unauthorized use of motor vehicle underage drinking unlawful assembly unlawful possession of a firearm upskirting

vandalism vehicular manslaughter voluntary manslaughter

white - collar crime wire fraud wobbler

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Massachusetts State Code