Who issues an indictment?

Who issues an indictment?

• A. Grand Jury
• B. District Court
• C. Judge
• D. Prosecutor

Answer: (A)

An indictment is the formal charge that starts a felony case, and it is issued by a grand jury. The grand jury reviews evidence presented by the prosecutor and decides whether there is probable cause to bring criminal charges. If they find enough cause, they return an indictment (often called a true bill). The district court and the judge handle the case once charges are in play—arraignments, motions, and trials—but they do not issue the indictment. The prosecutor may draft the charging document and present evidence to the grand jury, but the act of issuing the indictment comes from the grand jury itself.

An indictment is the formal charge that starts a felony case, and it is issued by a grand jury. The grand jury reviews evidence presented by the prosecutor and decides whether there is probable cause to bring criminal charges. If they find enough cause, they return an indictment (often called a true bill). The district court and the judge handle the case once charges are in play—arraignments, motions, and trials—but they do not issue the indictment. The prosecutor may draft the charging document and present evidence to the grand jury, but the act of issuing the indictment comes from the grand jury itself.