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 Maryland, criminal charges are formal allegations of wrongdoing brought by the government against individuals or entities. These charges can be initiated by various levels of government, including city, county, and state authorities, as well as the federal government for federal offenses. The state-level prosecutions are typically conducted by the State's Attorney's Office in the respective county. Criminal charges in Maryland can range 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, information, or indictment, depending on the case and the severity of the offense. Citations and traffic tickets are used for lesser offenses, such as traffic infractions. An indictment is typically used for more serious crimes and requires a grand jury to determine whether there is enough evidence to charge someone with a felony offense. The process of charging and prosecution is governed by Maryland law and the rules of criminal procedure.