Terms Used In New Hampshire Revised Statutes 601:3

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • justice: when applied to a magistrate, shall mean a justice of a municipal court, or a justice of the peace having jurisdiction over the subject-matter. See New Hampshire Revised Statutes 21:12
If the attorney general or the county attorney desires to charge a defendant making application under N.H. Rev. Stat. § 601:2 with a crime or crimes not punishable by death other than a crime charged in the complaint upon which the defendant has been committed, the attorney general or the county attorney may, before consenting to such application, prepare a complaint or complaints charging such other crime or crimes and serve the same upon the defendant in order that he may have an opportunity to waive indictment upon such other charges. The superior court shall by rule establish forms for application to waive indictment under this chapter and may by rule make such other regulations of procedure under this chapter as justice may require.