Criminal charges are formal accusations of criminal conduct made by a governmental authority against a person or entity. Criminal charges are usually filed or initiated by a city, county, state, or the federal government, acting through a public prosecutor—also known as a municipal prosecutor, county attorney, district attorney, state attorney general, or United States Attorney (for federal crimes). Criminal charges range from low-level misdemeanors such as traffic tickets to first degree felonies such as capital murder.

The charging document in which the specific crime(s) alleged to have been committed are specified may be referred to as (1) a complaint; (2) an information; (3) an indictment; (4) a citation; or (5) a traffic ticket.

In Arizona, criminal charges are formal allegations made by a government authority accusing an individual or entity of engaging in illegal activity. These charges can be initiated by various levels of government, including city, county, state, or federal prosecutors. The type of prosecutor involved typically depends on the nature of the alleged crime and the jurisdiction in which it occurred. The range of criminal charges in Arizona spans from minor misdemeanors, such as traffic infractions, to serious felonies, including capital murder which may be punishable by the death penalty or life imprisonment. The specific criminal charges are detailed in a charging document, which may take the form of a complaint, information, indictment, citation, or traffic ticket. A complaint or information is generally used for misdemeanor charges and some felonies, while an indictment is typically required for more serious felony charges and is issued by a grand jury. Citations and traffic tickets are used for minor infractions and violations.