OptionZero

A cop can put anything he wants on the ticket, but formal charges are initiated by a complaint filed by the district attorney.

The DA reviews police reports and a quick look at the evidence. What he charges might be exactly what the cop wrote up, or might not, depending on the situation.

After arraignment, the DA will file an "information", which is another formal charging sheet. It's just a second stage of the process; sometimes they just amend the complaint, sometimes the work up new papers. These confirm the exact charges and might have some other data on it depending on the jurisdiction.



G6civic is mostly correct:
No lawyer = no jail time, period. The Sixth Amendment is quite clear.

However, I believe (this is getting into dangerous territory for what I should saying publicly, for free, to a stranger) that a lawyer is not required IF...

1. The crime charged is punishable by jailtime, BUT
2. there is low possibility that you might actually get jail time, AND
3. you don't get sentenced to jail, (just fines and such)


I cannot speak for the quality of a public defender's office on the otherside of the country, but in any event, the rules still apply:
1. Keep your mouth shut in court unless the judge asks you a question
2. Listen to you lawyer's directions
3. Ask questions when you don't understand
4. PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT HE EXPLAINS
5. read everything thats put in front of you


If the original poster is a juvenile under Virginia law, I speculate that they are obligated to inform his parents prior to any action.