noun
information
A formal criminal charge filed by a prosecutor without a grand-jury indictment.
The prosecutor files an information stating the alleged offense.
Etymology
The Latin verb includes making known. The legal noun developed from formally informing an authority of an offense, giving the written accusation its name.
More examples
- The information listed the charges against the defendant.
- Counsel challenged the sufficiency of the information.
- An amended information was filed before the hearing.
Forms
information · informations
Similar words
- indictment
- Usually a formal charge issued through a grand jury.
- complaint
- Another initiating legal document, with a different procedural role.