Alaska

Criminal Procedure

Criminal Procedure

Rule 56 – Definitions

As used in these rules, unless the content otherwise requires:

(a) “Prosecuting Attorney” includes the attorney general, assistant attorneys general, deputy attorneys general and any other attorneys, legal officers and assistants charged by law with the duty of prosecuting the violation of any law, statute or ordinance.
(b) “Magistrate judge” includes magistrate judges, district judges, superior court judges and any other judicial officer authorized by law to conduct a preliminary examination of a person accused of a crime.
(c) “Presiding Judge” includes the duly-designated presiding judge of the superior court in each judicial district or, in the presiding judge’s absence, the person designated presiding judge pro tem.
(d) “Offense” means conduct for which a sentence of imprisonment or payment of a fine is authorized by law.
(e) “Misdemeanor” means an offense for which a sentence of imprisonment for not more than one year may be imposed.
(f) “Violation” means:

(1) an offense as defined in AS 11.81.900(b);
(2) a traffic infraction as defined in Title 28 of the Alaska Statutes; or
(3) Any other offense under state or local law which is punishable only by a fine.

Alaska R. Crim. P. 56

Adopted by SCO 4 October 4, 1959; amended by SCO 157 effective February 15, 1973; by SCO 427 effective August 1, 1980; by SCO 888 effective July 15, 1988; and by SCO 1153 effective July 15, 1994; amended by SCO 1829 effective October 15, 2014.