What document charges the accused with a crime?

Answer 1

Under US Constitutional law, a person that is arrested for committing a crime has protections guaranteed by US laws. To formally charge a person of a crime, a document called a writ of habeas corpus must be issued by a judge in order to formally hold a prisoner. This was borrowed from the English law adopted in 1669. The formal charge comes later in the form of an indictment. [usually pronounced in-DITE-ment]

Answer 2

This depends on what type of crime it is: normally, the less severe of a crime, the more simple the document is. It can range from a traffic citation (for an infraction or a traffic criminal offense) to a formal indictment by a grand jury. In most states information charging a person with a felony is presented to a state attorney, who would then prepare what is known as a charging document, which is filed with the court to commence criminal proceedings. Prosecutors may opt for an indictment by a grand jury, which, if they agree that there is enough evidence to take the case to court, they can issue an indictment.