Charges are the formal, written accusations that say what crime the government claims you committed. They are filed by a prosecutor — not by the police — and they list each specific offense, the law allegedly violated, and any related allegations or enhancements.
How Charges Work in California
In California, charges are filed in one of three ways: a misdemeanor or felony complaint, an information after a preliminary hearing, or an indictment from a grand jury. The District Attorney has up to one year for misdemeanors and up to three years (or longer for serious offenses) for felonies under Penal Code §§ 801 and 802. The exact charges shape every aspect of what follows — bail, plea offers, and possible sentence — and they can be amended, added, or dismissed as the case progresses.
Related Legal Terms
Criminal charges are closely linked to the arraignment, where they are formally read, and to the related concepts of indictment, information, and the felony or misdemeanor classification handled across our criminal defense practice.
Facing Criminal Charges in California?
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