Which term is defined as "a type of criminal complaint"?

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

Which term is defined as "a type of criminal complaint"?

Explanation:
Charging documents in criminal cases fall into two main forms: indictment and information. An information is a formal, written accusation filed by a prosecutor that a person committed a crime; it functions as a type of criminal complaint and starts the criminal process without requiring a grand jury. Indictments, by contrast, are charges issued by a grand jury after it reviews evidence. Jurisdiction refers to the court’s authority to hear a case, and lis pendens is a notice about pending real property litigation—neither is a criminal charging document.

Charging documents in criminal cases fall into two main forms: indictment and information. An information is a formal, written accusation filed by a prosecutor that a person committed a crime; it functions as a type of criminal complaint and starts the criminal process without requiring a grand jury. Indictments, by contrast, are charges issued by a grand jury after it reviews evidence. Jurisdiction refers to the court’s authority to hear a case, and lis pendens is a notice about pending real property litigation—neither is a criminal charging document.

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