In U.S. federal criminal practice, an indictment typically marks the start of a protracted court process that can include pretrial motions, discovery, and a potential trial.
October 08, 2025
high
procedural
Describes the general role of an indictment within the U.S. federal criminal justice process.
Indictments in U.S. federal cases sometimes do not identify confidential associates or anonymous sources, which can complicate external assessment of the strength and specifics of the alleged evidence.
October 08, 2025
high
procedural
Explains how omissions in indictments about sources can affect public understanding of allegations.
A grand jury indictment can, in some U.S. jurisdictions, supersede previously filed charges and allow legal proceedings to proceed without a preliminary hearing.
October 06, 2025
high
legal
Explains a procedural effect of obtaining a grand jury indictment in certain U.S. jurisdictions.