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 New Hampshire, 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, from local (city or municipal prosecutors) to state (county attorneys or the state attorney general) and federal (U.S. Attorney for federal offenses). The severity of charges in New Hampshire ranges 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, depending on the case and the level of court. Citations and traffic tickets are used for lesser offenses, typically misdemeanors or violations. The process of filing criminal charges is governed by New Hampshire state statutes and federal law, and the accused individual is entitled to legal due process, which includes the right to be represented by an attorney.