What is the legal definition of an indictment?

The legal definition of an indictment is recognized as a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime. This process typically involves a grand jury, which considers evidence presented by a prosecutor to determine whether there is sufficient cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the accused person is responsible. An indictment serves as an official document that initiates criminal proceedings against an individual, indicating that serious allegations warrant the case moving forward in the judicial system.

The other options do not accurately define an indictment. A legal statement from a judge refers to various judicial orders or rulings but does not capture the essence of what an indictment is—it is not an order or decree from a judge. Similarly, a minor charge for a misdemeanor is not equivalent to an indictment, since indictments typically pertain to felony charges that are more serious in nature. Lastly, a plea bargain agreement is a different legal construct, focusing on negotiations between the prosecution and defense to settle a criminal case without going to trial, and does not represent the formal accusation that an indictment does. This clarifies the distinguishing characteristics of an indictment relative to other legal concepts.