Information

A complaint against a person for some criminal or penal offence, filed by the proper officer, on behalf of the Crown or people, at his own discretion, on the relation or information of some private person; resembling in criminal cases an indictment, but not founded on the oath of a jury, and in civil cases like the bill or declaration; in each class the subsequent proceedings being as usual. An information in Chancery is a bill instituted by the Attorney-General on behalf of the Crown. An information in the Exchequer has its object to recover money due the Crown, or damages for an itilrnsion upon Crown lands. An information on a penal statute gives the informer a share in the penalty, v. Quo warranto, Quitam.