A criminal charge involves a criminal complaint, or an \u201caccusatory instrument,\u201d which is the papers filed that accuse someone of committing a crime.<\/p>\n
There are two delineating criteria factored into considering if a criminal complaint is to be used in a case. One factor looks at whether state or federal laws were broken, which usually determines what court a trial may be held in. Another depends on the nature of the crime and whether it constitutes a serious felony or a less serious misdemeanor. Since different jurisdictions with differing rules and regulations may be involved, it is vitally important to speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to determine how to proceed, should you be charged criminally.<\/p>\n
An accusatory instrument\/criminal complaint (initially laid by the police) eventually wends its way to a prosecutor. This instrument, or charge, is the beginning of a criminal prosecution or trial. The charge, or papers that constitute the (more…)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A criminal charge involves a criminal complaint, or an \u201caccusatory instrument,\u201d which is the papers filed that accuse someone of committing a crime. There are two delineating criteria factored into considering if a criminal complaint is to be used in…<\/span><\/p>\n