The question is using mixed metaphors. (in the US) TechnicallyEVERYBODY is innocent until they are PROVEN guilty in a court of law. However- when a Grand Jury indicts you - technically you are still innocent - but you have now become the ACCUSED. Quite a big difference and one which brings you firmly under the grasp of not only the protection of the law, but the prosecution of the law as well.
A grand jury makes no finding of guilt or innocence. Its purpose is to investigate an alleged crime, examine evidence, and decide whether reasonable cause exists for a case to be referred to court for trial where a petit jury or judge will decide whether to convict.
Generally, the life of the accused, although a specifically convened grand jury has until they are excused or ajourned.
There is no statute of limitation on murder in the US though, so indictment may be sought by the prosecutor for as long as the accused remains breathing.
It goes according to the statute of limitations which is different according to what offense you have committed. The attorney in an individual case should be able to advise the client.
"The grand jury voted to indict him on the charge of capital murder." "The candidate sought to indict gun ownership as the cause of criminal violence." "The district attorney can indict you on the evidence he already has."
The grand jury indicted him for murder.
Grand Juries
The same steps used to charge someone with any crime is the same for murder. Enough evidence has to be gathered for the person to be charged with it; the person has been arrested and brought before the court for trial. In many states a person must be indicted by a grand jury to be formally charged with murder, but can be arrested and held pending such grand jury indictment.
Yes, it is possible.
Means that the Grand Jury declined, or failed, to indict the defendant.
The grand jury.
An indictment is, essentially, to be formally accused of something. An example sentence is: The indictment was absolutely humiliating for him.
A criminal charge is a charge brought forth by law enforcement for a legally punishable crime. An example of criminal charges might be murder, theft, grand theft, and shoplifting.
First, a grand jury, as is the case of any other types of jury, is a jury assembled of people from the general public. This is what makes a jury public. Indict means for a grand jury to decide that there is enough evidence to bring an accused before the court to answer the charges.
Generally all felony offenses. CAUTION: Not all states indict defendants via the Grand Jury system.
It's good for the person the State is trying to charge with a crime! A "no bill" means the grand jury does not think there is probable cause to formally charge the person and send the matter to the court for a trial. A "true bill" is when the grand jury does approve of prosecuting that person for that crime. In Georgia, if a Grand Jury "no bills" a case, the DA has one more chance to re-indict it, but usually they will not. At least not for the same charges.