ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

The legal term for a Grand Jury's decision to charge an individual with a crime is known as?

1. Information

2. True bill

3. Indictment

4. Summons

The correct answer is: Indictment

The term that refers to a Grand Jury's decision to formally charge an individual with a crime is known as an indictment. An indictment is a significant legal tool in the criminal justice process, initiated by the Grand Jury. When the Grand Jury finds sufficient evidence that a crime has been committed, they issue an indictment, which serves as an official accusation. This process is important because it protects individuals from unfounded charges, ensuring that there is enough evidence to proceed with prosecution. Indictments typically involve serious offenses and are used in felony cases, thereby facilitating the legal proceedings against the accused. In contrast, while "information" refers to a formal charging document filed by a prosecutor without a Grand Jury, a "true bill" actually signifies that a Grand Jury has found enough evidence to charge based on a presented case, not the decision itself. A "summons" is a notification to appear in court and does not pertain to the charging process defined by an indictment. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for grasping the legal processes in criminal investigations and prosecutions.