INFORMATION
The formal accusation of a criminal offense made by a public official; the sworn, written accusation of a crime.
An information is tantamount to an indictment in that it is a sworn written statement
which charges that a particular individual has
done some criminal act or is guilty of some
criminal omission. The distinguishing charac-
teristic between an information and an indict-
ment is that an indictment is presented by a
GRAND JURY, whereas an information is pre-
sented by a duly authorized public official.
The purpose of an information is to inform
the accused of the charge against him, so that
the accused will have an opportunity to prepare
