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in·dict·ment /in-'dīt-mənt/ n1: the action or the legal process of indicting2 a: a formal written statement framed by a prosecuting authority and found by a grand jury that charges a person or persons with an offense compare complaint, information
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.
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I
noun
accusal, accusatio, accusation, allegation, castigation, charge, complaint, crimen, delation, denunciation, formal accusation, grand jury's accusation, libellus, main charge, presentment, reproach, written accusation
associated concepts: arraignment, counts of an indictment, felony complaint, felony information, grand jury, indictable offense, motion to quash, no true bill, plea, presentment, true bill
II
index
accusation, bill (formal declaration), charge (accusation), complaint, count, criticism, denunciation, diatribe, disapprobation, impeachment, incrimination, presentment
Burton's Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006
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n.A formal, written accusation presented by a grand jury to the court charging someone with a specified crime.
The Essential Law Dictionary. — Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. Amy Hackney Blackwell. 2008.
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a document that sets out the charges against a person. In England they are in simple form in terms of the Indictments Act 1915. In Scotland the indictments are prepared in terms of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975.
Collins dictionary of law. W. J. Stewart. 2001.
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A grand jury's conclusion that a serious crime has occurred, and that it is reasonably probable that the defendant committed it. Prosecuting attorneys may generally choose how to charge a crime: by indictment or by using a criminal complaint. To proceed by way of indictment, the prosecutor will show the grand jury enough evidence to persuade them that the target of the investigation should be brought to trial. The target does not have a right to be present, and the proceeding is not public. By contrast, a criminal complaint is followed by a preliminary hearing, at which the defendant is present and where the defendant can question opposing witnesses and call witnesses of his own. When prosecutors want to charge someone but reveal as little as possible of their case and evidence, they often choose the indictment option. (See also: indictable offense)Category: Criminal LawCategory: Small Claims Court & Lawsuits
Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary. Gerald N. Hill, Kathleen Thompson Hill. 2009.
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n.1 A charge made by a grand jury against a defendant.2 The process of making such a charge.
Webster's New World Law Dictionary. Susan Ellis Wild. 2000.
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A written accusation charging that an individual named therein has committed an act or omitted to do something that is punishable by law.
Dictionary from West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005.
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A written accusation charging that an individual named therein has committed an act or omitted to do something that is punishable by law.II A written accusation by a grand jury charging a person with a crime. (See information.)
Short Dictionary of (mostly American) Legal Terms and Abbreviations.
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n.a charge of a felony (serious crime) voted by a Grand Jury based upon a proposed charge, witnesses' testimony and other evidence presented by the public prosecutor (District Attorney). To bring an indictment the Grand Jury will not find guilt, but only the probability that a crime was committed, that the accused person did it and that he/she should be tried. District Attorneys often only introduce key facts sufficient to show the probability, both to save time and to avoid revealing all the evidence. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides that "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on presentment of a Grand Jury:." However, while grand juries are common in charging federal crimes, many states use grand juries sparingly and use the criminal complaint, followed by a "preliminary hearing" held by a lower court judge or other magistrate, who will determine whether or not the prosecutor has presented sufficient evidence that the accused has committed a felony. If the judge finds there is enough evidence, he/she will order the case sent to the appropriate court for trial.
Law dictionary. EdwART. 2013.
