What is an accusatory instrument?

What is an accusatory instrument?

• A. A transcript of a grand jury
• B. A request for a search warrant
• C. A court document that charges a person with a criminal offense
• D. An arrest warrant

Answer: (C)

An accusatory instrument is the formal charging document that starts a criminal case by alleging that someone committed a crime. In New York practice, it can be a complaint, an information, or an indictment. It states the charged offenses and the essential facts, giving the court jurisdiction for arraignment and further proceedings. The other options aren’t charging documents: a transcript of a grand jury is just a record of proceedings, a request for a search warrant is a motion to obtain permission to search, and an arrest warrant is a court order to arrest someone, not the document that officially charges them with a crime.

An accusatory instrument is the formal charging document that starts a criminal case by alleging that someone committed a crime. In New York practice, it can be a complaint, an information, or an indictment. It states the charged offenses and the essential facts, giving the court jurisdiction for arraignment and further proceedings. The other options aren’t charging documents: a transcript of a grand jury is just a record of proceedings, a request for a search warrant is a motion to obtain permission to search, and an arrest warrant is a court order to arrest someone, not the document that officially charges them with a crime.