Essential facts to be included in charging documents

(Updated November 21, 2014)

     a. Date(s), time(s), and location(s) of incident(s). Normally in numbered paragraphs with numbered exhibits and descriptions of other evidence as appropriate.

     b. "Subject(s)" of the requested investigation/prosecution with his/her identifying information including full name, address, phone numbers, and job/position as appropriate and available. Once an investigation is started on a subject he becomes a “target” of an investigation and once indicted by a grand jury a “defendant.”

     c. "Victim(s)" of the crime(s) with identifying information as appropriate and available.

     d. "Witness(es)" to the crime(s) and those with knowledge of the crime(s) with identifying information as appropriate and available.

     e. "Attorney(s)" for victims of the crimes with identifying information as appropriate and available.

     f. Any “report numbers and charges” with respect to the incident.

     g. The “criminal offenses” that the subject of the investigation has allegedly committed..