Art. 208 Summons; defined

When police or a judge want someone to show up in court for a criminal charge, they can send that person a summons instead of arresting them. A summons is a written order that has to include a few key things: what crime the person is accused of, their name, and the exact time and place they need to show up in court.

Either a judge or a police officer can issue this document, but it has to be done in the name of the state. Think of it like an official appointment notice for court. Instead of getting arrested and taken into custody, the person gets this paper telling them when and where they need to appear to answer the charge against them.