What is a written request issued by a police officer that informs a person to appear in court?

The term that refers to a written request issued by a police officer to inform a person to appear in court is known as a Notice to Appear. This document serves as an official notice to the recipient, indicating that they are required to attend court at a specified time and place, usually related to a minor offense or infraction.

In many jurisdictions, the Notice to Appear is often issued in lieu of an arrest, allowing the individual to address their legal obligations without being taken into custody. By providing the details of the court date and the nature of the charge, it helps ensure that the individual is informed of their legal responsibilities while allowing for the efficient management of lower-level legal matters.

While the other options may seem relevant, they do not specifically match the definition provided in the question. An arrest warrant is a legal document authorizing the arrest of an individual, a citation typically involves a ticket issued for a violation but may not always require court appearance, and a summons is a broader term that can encompass various forms of notification but isn't specific to police issuance for a court appearance in the same way a Notice to Appear is.