Free US Law Dictionary

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Indictment

Arrest warrant Â· Search warrant
Probable cause Â· Knock-and-announce
Exigent circumstance
Reasonable suspicion
Search and seizure Â· Search of persons
Arrest Â· Detention
Right to silence Â· Miranda warning (U.S.)
Grand jury

Criminal prosecution

Statute of limitations Â· Nolle prosequi
Bill of attainder Â· Ex post facto law
Criminal jurisdiction Â· Extradition
Habeas corpus Â· Bail
Inquisitorial system Â· Adversarial system

Charges and pleas

Arraignment Â· Information Â· Indictment
Plea Â· Peremptory plea
Nolo contendere (U.S.) Â· Plea bargain
Presentence Investigation

Related areas of law

Criminal defenses
Criminal law Â· Evidence
Civil procedure

Portals

Law Â· Criminal justice

In the common law legal system, an indictment (IPA: /ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/) is a formal accusation of having committed a criminal offense. In those jurisdictions which retain the concept of a felony, the serious criminal offense would be a felony; those jurisdictions which have abolished the concept of a felony often substitute instead the concept of an indictable offence, i.e. an offence which requires an indictment.

Traditionally an indictment was handed up by a grand jury, which returned a "true bill" if it found cause to make the charge, or "no bill" if it did not find cause. Most common law jurisdictions (except for much of the United States) have abolished grand juries.

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