California · Penal Code

PEN §959: The accusatory pleading is sufficient if it can be understood therefrom: 1.

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute sets out the procedural requirements for accusatory pleadings (indictments, informations, and complaints) to be considered sufficient, including court authority, proper filing, defendant identification, and timing.

Read the full statutory text

The accusatory pleading is sufficient if it can be understood therefrom: 1. That it is filed in a court having authority to receive it, though the name of the court be not stated. 2. If an indictment, that it was found by a grand jury of the county in which the court was held, or if an information, that it was subscribed and presented to the court by the district attorney of the county in which the court was held. 3. If a complaint, that it is made and subscribed by some natural person and sworn to before some officer entitled to administer oaths. 4. That the defendant is named, or if his name is unknown, that he is described by a fictitious name, with a statement that his true name is to the grand jury, district attorney, or complainant, as the case may be, unknown. 5. That the offense charged therein is triable in the court in which it is filed, except in case of a complaint filed with a magistrate for the purposes of a preliminary examination. 6. That the offense was committed at some time prior to the filing of the accusatory pleading.

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