Grand Jury Indictment: What Happens When You Get Indicted?
Understanding Grand Jury Indictments
In the United States, a grand jury is a group of 16 to 23 citizens who are sworn to investigate crimes and determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed with a criminal prosecution. When a grand jury votes to indict, it means that they believe there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the person named in the indictment should be tried for that crime.
The Grand Jury Process
The grand jury process is a secret proceeding, and the jurors are not allowed to discuss their deliberations with anyone outside the jury room. The only information that is released to the public is the indictment itself, which contains the charges against the defendant and the names of the jurors who voted to indict.
A grand jury indictment is not a conviction, and it does not mean that the defendant is guilty of the charges. It is simply a finding that there is enough evidence to proceed with a criminal prosecution.
What Happens After an Indictment?
Once a defendant has been indicted, they will be arraigned, where they will be formally charged with the crime and have their bail set. The defendant will then be scheduled for a trial, where they will have the opportunity to present their defense. If the defendant is convicted, they will be sentenced according to the law.
Comments