What is an indictment?

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An indictment is a formal accusation that is typically made by a grand jury. It charges an individual with a crime and is a crucial step in the criminal justice process, initiating prosecution. The grand jury conducts investigations and reviews evidence presented by the prosecutor to determine whether there is sufficient reason to charge someone with a criminal offense. This is a key legal safeguard, providing a check against unfounded charges and ensuring that there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the definition of an indictment. A written accusation by a police officer would not involve the grand jury process, while a summons for a defendant to appear in court is a procedural document that does not involve a charge. An appeal involves legal review of a lower court's decision rather than a charge of criminal wrongdoing. Therefore, the specificity and formal nature of an indictment make it an essential legal mechanism for ensuring that individuals are fairly charged based on evidence reviewed by a group of citizens (the grand jury).