Louisiana Bail Bonds Practice Exam

What is an indictment?

1. A formal accusation presented to a grand jury

2. A written order for an arrest

3. A promise made by a defendant

4. A summary of the court case results

The correct answer is: A formal accusation presented to a grand jury

An indictment is a formal accusation that is presented to a grand jury, which is a critical part of the legal process in criminal law. The purpose of an indictment is to inform the accused of the charges against them and to initiate a criminal case. The grand jury evaluates evidence presented by the prosecution to determine whether there is sufficient cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the accused should be formally charged. This process is vital because it serves as a check on the government’s power, ensuring that no one is charged with a crime without a thorough review by a panel of citizens. The other options do not accurately describe what an indictment is: a written order for an arrest refers to an arrest warrant, a promise made by a defendant refers more to a bail agreement or plea, and a summary of court case results would pertain more to a verdict or case disposition rather than an indictment. Understanding these distinctions emphasizes the important role that an indictment plays in the judicial system.