Which of the following is a recognized method to initiate a criminal case in the described system?

• A. On-scene arrest
• B. Warrant issued
• C. Grand jury indictment
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

A criminal case can be brought forward through several recognized routes, and each path brings the case into the system and triggers the charging process. An on-scene arrest occurs when an officer takes a suspect into custody based on probable cause; this custody initiates the procedural steps toward charging, such as the prosecutor filing a charging document. A warrant issued by a judge serves to authorize arrest when probable cause is established and the suspect isn’t immediately arrested; once the warrant is executed, the case moves forward toward formal charges. A grand jury indictment is used in jurisdictions with grand juries and provides the formal charge; the indictment starts the case in court proceedings. Because the described system accepts all of these routes as valid ways to initiate a criminal case, the best answer is that all of them are recognized methods.