A written accusation filed with a court that charges one or more defendants with offenses is called what?

• A. Grand jury indictment
• B. Superior information
• C. Writ of habeas corpus
• D. Complaint

Answer: (B)

In New York criminal procedure, the way charges are brought to the court depends on the kind of accusatory document. A grand jury indictment is issued by a grand jury after it finds probable cause. A complaint is a sworn accusation used to start a case in many misdemeanor situations or lower courts. A writ of habeas corpus is a remedy challenging detention, not a charging document. The description “written accusation filed with a court that charges one or more defendants with offenses” best fits a superior information. This is the prosecutor’s formal, court-filed document charging offenses (often felonies) without needing a grand jury, distinguishing it from an indictment.