Before a court can issue a summons, the prosecutor must request the issuance.

Before a court can issue a summons, the prosecutor must request the issuance.

• A. The clerk
• B. The judge
• C. The prosecutor
• D. The defendant

Answer: (C)

The key idea is who starts the notification process for a charged person. A summons goes out only after there is a charging document, and the party who files that charge—the prosecutor—must request the court to issue the summons. Once the prosecutor makes that request, the clerk issues the summons in the court’s name, so the defendant can be properly notified to appear. The judge’s role is to oversee and approve filings, but isn’t the one who initiates the summons, and the defendant cannot trigger issuance. Therefore, the prosecutor is the correct choice.

The key idea is who starts the notification process for a charged person. A summons goes out only after there is a charging document, and the party who files that charge—the prosecutor—must request the court to issue the summons. Once the prosecutor makes that request, the clerk issues the summons in the court’s name, so the defendant can be properly notified to appear. The judge’s role is to oversee and approve filings, but isn’t the one who initiates the summons, and the defendant cannot trigger issuance. Therefore, the prosecutor is the correct choice.