Which term describes a formal accusation written by a prosecutor, commonly used in states that do not use a grand jury?

Which term describes a formal accusation written by a prosecutor, commonly used in states that do not use a grand jury?

• A. Indictment
• B. Information
• C. Plea bargaining
• D. Booking

Answer: (B)

Information describes a formal accusation filed by a prosecutor with the court. In states that do not use a grand jury, the prosecutor presents charges through an information, laying out the offenses and the supporting facts so the case can proceed to arraignment. Indictment, by contrast, is a charging document issued by a grand jury, which those jurisdictions without a grand jury don’t rely on. Booking is just the arrest processing and is not a charging document, and plea bargaining is the negotiation to resolve charges rather than the filing itself.

Information describes a formal accusation filed by a prosecutor with the court. In states that do not use a grand jury, the prosecutor presents charges through an information, laying out the offenses and the supporting facts so the case can proceed to arraignment. Indictment, by contrast, is a charging document issued by a grand jury, which those jurisdictions without a grand jury don’t rely on. Booking is just the arrest processing and is not a charging document, and plea bargaining is the negotiation to resolve charges rather than the filing itself.