What term is used to describe the formal charge issued by a grand jury?

What term is used to describe the formal charge issued by a grand jury?

• A. Indictment
• B. Verdict
• C. Information
• D. Acquittal

Answer: (A)

Indictment is the formal charge issued by a grand jury. When a grand jury reviews evidence and determines there is probable cause to believe a person committed a crime, they issue an indictment, which formally accuses the person and allows the case to proceed to trial. This is distinct from a verdict, which is the jury’s decision of guilty or not guilty after a trial; an information, which is a charging document used in jurisdictions that do not use grand juries; and acquittal, which means the person has been found not guilty. Sometimes the grand jury returns a “true bill” to indicate an indictment.

Indictment is the formal charge issued by a grand jury. When a grand jury reviews evidence and determines there is probable cause to believe a person committed a crime, they issue an indictment, which formally accuses the person and allows the case to proceed to trial. This is distinct from a verdict, which is the jury’s decision of guilty or not guilty after a trial; an information, which is a charging document used in jurisdictions that do not use grand juries; and acquittal, which means the person has been found not guilty. Sometimes the grand jury returns a “true bill” to indicate an indictment.