A criminal indictment formally accuses someone of violating criminal law and is typically handed down by a grand jury. It spells out the crime committed and names an accused suspect. Before an indictment can be issued, criminal investigators must gather evidence and find potential suspects. Being indicted doesn’t mean someone has committed a crime, just […]
A federal indictment charges a person with a crime after a grand jury reviews evidence. The defendant is arrested and detained, unless they can post bail. A bail hearing determines if the defendant is a flight risk. A preliminary hearing follows, where the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty. A plea deal may be offered. […]
