Information — in plain language

Plain language

a formal document a prosecutor files to charge someone with a crime, used instead of a grand jury indictment

• a prosecutor's formal charge
• a charging document
• a criminal charge filed by the prosecutor

What to watch for

• In criminal procedure 'an information' is a formal charging document, not 'some information' in the everyday sense; a plain rewrite must keep the charging meaning.
• An information is filed by a prosecutor on their own authority, while an indictment comes from a grand jury; do not treat the two as identical.
• Being charged 'by information' is not a finding of guilt: it only begins the case, so a plain version should not imply the person has been convicted.

A Charging Document, Not "Some Information". This is a classic false friend. In criminal law, "an information" is a specific legal filing that charges a person with a crime — not "information" in the everyday sense of facts or knowledge. A plain rewrite should make clear it is a formal accusation that starts a criminal case, or readers will misread it as ordinary information.

Information vs. Indictment. Both begin a criminal prosecution, but they come from different sources. An information is filed by the prosecutor on their own authority. An indictment is handed up by a grand jury after it reviews the evidence. A plain version should keep this distinction, because whether a grand jury was involved can matter to the accused.

Common Misunderstandings by Non-Lawyers.

• "Charged 'by information' just means the police had some information on me." (No — it is a formal document the prosecutor files to charge a crime.)
• "An information and an indictment are the same thing." (They serve the same purpose but an information comes from the prosecutor, an indictment from a grand jury.)
• "If there's an information against me, I've been found guilty." (No — it is only an accusation that starts the case; guilt must still be proven.)

Legal definition

In criminal procedure, an information is a formal written document in which a prosecutor accuses a person of a crime and begins the case against them. It serves the same role as an indictment but comes directly from the prosecutor's office rather than from a grand jury. Many states allow charges to be brought by information for misdemeanors, and some allow it for felonies as well. Filing an information starts the prosecution; it is an accusation, not proof of guilt, and the accused is still presumed innocent.

Meanings by context

everyday English: facts or knowledge about something

Examples

Where you'll see it

• filing of criminal charges
• arraignment proceedings
• misdemeanor and felony prosecutions
• cases without a grand jury

Related terms

• indictment
• arraignment
• grand jury
• complaint
• prosecutor

Word details

Pronunciation

in-fer-MAY-shuhn

Part of speech

noun

Origin

Latin — from 'informare' (to form, instruct); in law, a formal accusation laid before a court

Domains

criminal procedure, criminal law, prosecution, litigation

Frequency

common

Formality

high