What is a charge in criminal procedure?

• A. A formal assertion of innocence by the accused.
• B. A police report listing investigative facts.
• C. A formal accusation by the court that the accused has committed an offense.
• D. An order for immediate sentencing.

Answer: (C)

A charge in criminal procedure is the formal accusation brought in court that the accused has committed a specific offense. It’s typically filed by the prosecution on behalf of the state and serves as the notice and basis for the case against the defendant. The charge initiates the process by setting the exact offense(s) the person is alleged to have committed, which in turn leads to arraignment where the defendant enters a plea and prepares a defense. It’s not a declaration of innocence (that would be a defense), not a police report (an investigative document), and not a sentencing order (that comes after a conviction). The charge provides the legal form and scope of the case, guiding what the defendant must answer to in court.