Which statement best describes the term that is a formal accusation by a grand jury?

Which statement best describes the term that is a formal accusation by a grand jury?

• A. Information
• B. Writ
• C. Indictment
• D. Complaint

Answer: (C)

Indictment is the formal accusation issued by a grand jury. In this process, the grand jury reviews evidence presented by the prosecutor and, if they find probable cause, they return a true bill—the indictment—which charges the defendant with specific offenses and allows the case to move forward to arraignment and trial. The other terms are not the grand jury’s charging document: an information is a prosecutorial charging document filed with the court without a grand jury, a complaint is typically a sworn statement used to initiate charges in cases often involving police initiation or for lesser offenses, and a writ is a court order directing action or restraint, not a charging instrument.

Indictment is the formal accusation issued by a grand jury. In this process, the grand jury reviews evidence presented by the prosecutor and, if they find probable cause, they return a true bill—the indictment—which charges the defendant with specific offenses and allows the case to move forward to arraignment and trial. The other terms are not the grand jury’s charging document: an information is a prosecutorial charging document filed with the court without a grand jury, a complaint is typically a sworn statement used to initiate charges in cases often involving police initiation or for lesser offenses, and a writ is a court order directing action or restraint, not a charging instrument.