Forty-four days after Trayvon Martin’s death, George Zimmerman is finally being charged for shooting the 17 year-old. Special prosecutor Angela Corey officially filed a second-degree murder charge against Zimmerman today, marking a shift from the investigative chapter to the actual quest for state-sanctioned justice.

Second-degree murders, by the way, are not premeditated. They’re basically the stepping stone between manslaughter, an accident, and premeditated, first-degree murder.

Calling her and her colleagues “seekers of the truth,” Corey insisted that they “do not prosecute by public pressure or petition” and are equally interested in finding justice for both Martin and Zimmerman, who is currently in custody and will appear before a magistrate tomorrow.

While many will cheer Corey’s decision, Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, as well as their attorneys are urging everyone involved to keep a level head. “We don’t need anybody taking these matters into their own hands,” said lawyer Ben Crump.

The official charge is only the start of what will no doubt be a very public judicial fight. The Attorney General’s office is still looking into potential federal involvement. “If we find evidence of a potential federal criminal civil rights crime, we will take appropriate action,” Eric Holder said today.