What is a Grand Jury Indictment?
An Official Charge
When a grand jury returns an indictment, it is an official charge that the defendant committed the crime alleged. The indictment also serves as a notice to the defendant of the charges against them and begins the formal criminal proceedings.
Formal Charging Instrument
In the United States, a grand jury indictment is the formal charging instrument used by the Department of Justice to bring federal criminal charges against a defendant. If the grand jury finds sufficient evidence to support the charges, they will issue an indictment.
Indictment Process
Grand juries are composed of 16 to 23 members, and at least 12 members must concur in an indictment. The grand jury is instructed to return an indictment if they believe there is probable cause that the defendant committed the crime alleged.
Purpose of Grand Juries
The constitutional function of grand juries is to return criminal indictments. However, they serve a broader series of purposes, including investigating alleged crimes, determining if charges should be brought, and protecting the rights of citizens.
Indictment Significance
An indictment is a pivotal point in the federal criminal process. If the grand jury returns a no bill, the case is dismissed. If the grand jury returns an indictment, the defendant will be arraigned and the trial process will begin.
Recent Cases
Notable examples of grand jury indictments include: * Indictment of Donald Trump in relation to the 2020 presidential election * Indictment of an FBI confidential human source for false statements and obstruction crimes * Indictment of a 6-year-old student for the shooting of an elementary teacher
Komentar