1. Complaint: This is the initial document filed by law enforcement to formally accuse someone of a crime. It outlines the basic facts of the alleged crime, the specific charges, and the relevant statutes violated. It is typically used in misdemeanor cases and may be used to initiate an arrest warrant.
2. Indictment: This is a formal accusation of a crime issued by a grand jury. It is used in felony cases and provides a more detailed account of the alleged crime, including evidence presented to the grand jury.
3. Information: Similar to an indictment, this is a formal charging document, but it is filed by a prosecutor instead of being issued by a grand jury. It is used in some jurisdictions for both felony and misdemeanor cases.
It's important to note that the specific types of charging documents used can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the crime.
