Which proceeding is typically initiated after an investigation establishes probable cause that a crime occurred?

• A. Civil proceeding
• B. Summary offense
• C. Criminal proceeding
• D. Indictment

Answer: (C)

When probable cause has been established that a crime occurred, the case moves into a criminal proceeding in the appropriate court. This is the formal stage where charges are pursued and the accused moves through steps like charging documents, arraignment, and eventually trial. An indictment is a specific type of charging document used in some systems when a grand jury is involved, but it isn’t required in all jurisdictions or cases, so it isn’t the universal initial step. Civil proceedings handle non-criminal disputes, and a summary offense is a classification of offense rather than the general process that follows probable cause.