In the criminal law system, many times, the language that gets used by attorneys, judges, and court clerks can be just as confusing as the process itself.
This is evident not just when defendants have to deal with the justice system, but also when big news breaks about high profile criminal cases.
One confusing criminal law term that is often used in the court system, as well as media coverage regarding a particular case is something called an “information.”
Generally, when a person is going to be charged with a crime they are afforded constitutional protections. One of those is the right to have their case evaluated by a grand jury. However, if a defendant waives that right, an information (rather than a grand jury indictment) can get the formal criminal justice process started. Defendants frequently waive certain rights for expediency's sake, especially when they plan to accept a plea bargain. Grand jury indictments do not apply in City or State criminal charges; these are generally filed as misdemeanors in Municipal and/or District Court or felonies in the County Superior Court.
An information is like a grand jury indictment, but without the grand jury. Basically, it's a document prepared by prosecutors upon which criminal charges are brought. Like a complaint in a civil case, an information must contain the pertinent details for a defendant to be able to understand what the charges are that are being brought against them. These are often "filed" after a preliminary hearing and are used in many state jurisdictions and in the federal criminal courts as well.
Generally, the information is based upon police reports, other investigatory documents from law enforcement, and sometimes even statements of other witnesses.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal charge, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you, and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties, and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer.