Which of the following describes an indictable offense?

• A. Typically tried before a judge and jury and may carry a higher penalty
• B. Always dealt with by a single judge without a jury
• C. Never results in prison
• D. Only handled in civil courts

Answer: (A)

Indictable offences are the more serious criminal charges, so they are typically brought to trial in a higher court and heard before a judge and a jury, with the possibility of higher penalties if found guilty. This reflects the greater seriousness of the conduct and the need for broader adjudication, which a jury helps ensure. While some systems allow certain indictable offences to be heard summarily in limited circumstances, the usual description aligns with being tried before a judge and jury and facing stiffer penalties. The other statements don’t fit because indictable offences are not confined to a single judge, can result in prison, and are criminal matters—not civil ones.