What is an indictment?

• A. A formal written charge
• B. A court order
• C. A jury verdict
• D. A plea bargain document

Answer: (A)

An indictment is a formal written charge brought by the prosecution against a person, naming the accused and outlining the offences they are charged with. It marks the start of the formal process for trying a serious crime, setting out the specific accusations and often a brief summary of the alleged facts. It is not a court order, which would direct action from the court; it is not a jury verdict, which is the decision reached after a trial; and it is not a plea bargain document, which is an agreement to plead guilty in exchange for concessions. The indictment thus serves as the official written charge that moves the case toward trial.