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 Washington State, criminal charges are formal allegations made by a government authority accusing an individual or entity of engaging in criminal conduct. These charges can be initiated by various levels of government, including city, county, state, or federal authorities, and are prosecuted by legal officers such as municipal prosecutors, county attorneys, district attorneys, or the United States Attorney in the case of federal offenses. The severity of criminal charges in Washington ranges from minor misdemeanors, like traffic infractions, to serious felonies, including capital murder. The specific alleged crimes are detailed in a charging document, which may take the form of a complaint, an information, an indictment, a citation, or a traffic ticket. The type of document used often depends on the nature of the offense and the stage of the criminal process. For example, an indictment is typically used for felony charges and is issued by a grand jury, whereas a complaint or information may be used for misdemeanors or initial felony charges before grand jury proceedings.