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Simple English definitions for legal terms
indictment
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A quick definition of indictment:
Indictment: An indictment is a formal accusation that someone has committed a crime. It is like saying, "We think you did something wrong, and we are going to take you to court to prove it." A group of people called a grand jury decides if there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime. If they say yes, then the person can be arrested and put on trial.
A more thorough explanation:
An indictment is a formal accusation that charges a person with a criminal offense. It is a legal document that allows the government to prosecute a suspected criminal for the crimes listed in the indictment.
During an indictment proceeding, a grand jury reviews evidence presented by the prosecution and determines if there is enough evidence to bring criminal charges against the accused. If the grand jury decides there is enough evidence, they will issue an indictment.
John is suspected of committing a robbery. The police investigate and gather evidence, which they present to a grand jury. The grand jury reviews the evidence and decides that there is enough evidence to charge John with robbery. They issue an indictment, which formally charges John with the crime of robbery.
Another example could be a case where a person is suspected of embezzlement. The grand jury reviews the evidence and decides that there is enough evidence to charge the person with embezzlement. They issue an indictment, which formally charges the person with the crime of embezzlement.
These examples illustrate how an indictment is a formal accusation that charges a person with a criminal offense. It is an important step in the legal process that allows the government to prosecute suspected criminals for their alleged crimes.