INDICTMENT Meaning and
Definition
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Indictment is a legal term that refers to a formal written accusation charging an individual with committing a crime. It is a document presented by a grand jury or a prosecutor to a court, outlining the specific charges against a person, thereby initiating the legal process and proceedings against them. An indictment typically includes details about the alleged criminal acts, the relevant laws violated, and the evidence supporting the charges.
The purpose of an indictment is to demonstrate probable cause and provide adequate information to enable the accused person to prepare a defense. In order to issue an indictment, grand jurors must determine that there is sufficient evidence to believe that the accused individual committed the crime. This process helps safeguard individuals from arbitrary and unfounded accusations by ensuring that there is a reasonable basis for proceeding with a criminal case.
An indictment is an important step in the criminal justice system as it formalizes the allegations and initiates the legal process against the accused. Once issued, the indictment serves as the legal basis for the trial and sets out the charges that the prosecution will pursue. It also helps ensure transparency and accountability within the criminal justice system, as it requires the government to present evidence and establish the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.
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A formal charge; the paper or parchment containing the charge.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for INDICTMENT *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for INDICTMENT
Etymology of INDICTMENT
The word "indictment" originates from the Latin verb "indictare", which means "to point out" or "to charge". It is derived from the combination of the prefix "in" (meaning "in" or "against") and the verb "dicere" (meaning "to say" or "to declare"). The term was initially used in legal contexts to refer to the formal accusation or charge brought against someone in a court of law. The English word "indictment" entered the language in the late 14th century and has retained its legal significance throughout its evolution.
Similar spelling words for INDICTMENT
- indicator,
- inducement,
- indiction,
- indicate,
- induction,
- indigen,
- indicant,
- indictability,
- intactness,
- inductive,
- indictable,
- integument,
- inductee.
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