Federal criminal cases begin with the filing of either an indictment or an information,

both of which are documents that set forth detailed accusations of wrongdoing by the
defendant. A defendant, however, can voluntarily give up his or her right to have a
grand jury considering the evidence. If that happens, the prosecutor can avoid the
sometimes lengthy and tedious grand jury process and bring charges against the
defendant by way of an information.
However, An indictment document issued by the supreme court, most served to the
defendant before the trial start. To obtain an indictment the prosecutor must present
her case to a grand jury. The grand jury determine whether there is enough
information to charge the suspect with the crime.

Next the court must issue a warrant or a summons for each defendant named. It must
conform and describe the offense charged and when the defendant must appear in the
court at what date at a specific time and place.

It the person does not arrive on her court date the police may attempt to enforce an
arrest warrant at a location where the person is known to be present, such as the
person’s home or place of work.