TRIABLE ONLY ON INDICTMENT Meaning and
Definition
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"Triable only on indictment" is a legal term that refers to offenses that can only be tried in higher courts and not in lower courts. It indicates that serious criminal offenses are only addressed in the context of an indictment, which is a formal accusation that leads to a trial. This principle is often associated with common law jurisdictions.
The phrase implies that certain crimes are deemed significant enough to warrant a formal trial process. These offenses are typically characterized by their severity or impact on society, such as murder, rape, fraud, or drug trafficking. Instead of being heard in lower courts, cases falling under "triable only on indictment" are directed to higher courts, such as district courts or a court of assizes, where a jury is involved.
The requirement of indictment ensures that the accused person receives a fair and impartial trial with proper procedural protections. The indictment is presented by a prosecutor after a grand jury review or a preliminary hearing, outlining the charges against the defendant and setting the stage for a trial. The use of indictment aims to safeguard the defendant's constitutional rights, display transparency in legal proceedings, and ensure a reliable determination of guilt or innocence.
Overall, the phrase "triable only on indictment" embodies the idea that serious criminal offenses demand a higher level of legal scrutiny and must undergo a more elaborate trial procedure to deliver justice.
