What term describes an individual charge in an indictment?

Study for the New York State Court Assistant Legal Terminology Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each complete with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What term describes an individual charge in an indictment?

Explanation:
In criminal procedure, an indictment is a formal accusation listing offenses the state brings against a defendant. Each separate accusation within that document is called a count. So, if the indictment includes multiple charges, each one is a separate count with its own set of facts and legal elements. This is different from a conviction, which is the verdict or finding of guilt, and from a counterclaim, which is a civil-law concept where a defendant sues the plaintiff. “Crime” is a broad term for any criminal act, not the individual charge within an indictment. Therefore, the individual charge described in an indictment is a count.

In criminal procedure, an indictment is a formal accusation listing offenses the state brings against a defendant. Each separate accusation within that document is called a count. So, if the indictment includes multiple charges, each one is a separate count with its own set of facts and legal elements. This is different from a conviction, which is the verdict or finding of guilt, and from a counterclaim, which is a civil-law concept where a defendant sues the plaintiff. “Crime” is a broad term for any criminal act, not the individual charge within an indictment. Therefore, the individual charge described in an indictment is a count.

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