New York legal term
Accusatory instrument in New York Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New York legislative session
In New York criminal law, “Accusatory instrument” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the New York criminal code.
What does “Accusatory instrument” mean in New York criminal law?
"Accusatory instrument" means: (a) an indictment, an indictment ordered reduced pursuant to subdivision one-a of section 210.20 of this chapter, an information, a simplified information, a prosecutor's information, a superior court information, a misdemeanor complaint or a felony complaint. (N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law § 1.20)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.