What happens after an indictment? Most of us often wonder about the nook and cranny of the federal legal system. Our curious minds wonder about what murder charges can lead to. Sometimes, we even wonder about the more complex parts like the differences of homicide vs murders.
In this article, we will be taking it up a notch. We will be talking about what happens after an indictment. Additionally, we will be answering some more of your questions. We will look into the following.
- What happens after an indictment is filed?
- What happens after the grand jury issues an indictment?
- Lastly, what happens after an indictment is issued?
What Is An Indictment?
We have watched enough tv shows to see a jury or an indictment proceeding, too. It is safe to say that it all begins with an indictment. For instance, do you know the difference between indicted vs convicted?
So, an indictment is like a serious accusation. It basically declares that someone committed a big crime. It happens when there’s enough proof that a person did something really wrong.
But here’s the key thing to remember. Not every crime needs an indictment. Rather, only the really serious ones that go to federal courts have to get indicted.
In some places, like Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and Texas, there are laws that say you must have an indictment to charge someone with a serious crime.
What Happens After An Indictment? Legal Side Of It
Understanding what happens after an indictment should begin by us knowing the legal definition of an indictment.
An indictment is like a formal method of pointing out a crime. It happens when a group, the grand jury, carefully goes through the evidence of the crime. Next, they decide if there’s enough proof to charge that person with that crime.
Moreover, an indictment is one of the two main ways legal bodies can accuse a person of breaking the law. The other way is to bring a criminal complaint that goes straight to the court.
However, the contents of an indictment depend on the rules of each state. But there are some basic things that must be there. These basics are constant across all 50 states. They come from Rule 7 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Importantly, an indictment guarantees that nobody can go to trial for a crime without the charges against them. Therefore, an indictment assures fairness when dealing with criminal offenses.
What Happens After An Indictment?
Now, let us find out what happens after an indictment is filed. After the grand jury decides that the evidence is strong, they issue the indictment. Thus, once the indictment takes place, the next step is heading to trial.
However, we should give you a heads-up. The process is not as straightforward as in the TV. Take the indictment proceeding against Mr. Donald Trump, for example. Did you see how many court dates fell before the formal process reached its final stage? There is basically a lot of back and forth.
Before the trial, there are lots of pre-trial hearings. Moreover, depending on how busy the courts are in your state, you are looking at months before the trial. It could even be years before you get in front of a jury.
So, here’s what happens after an indictment.
You Are Looking At A Possibility of a Plea Deal
If the prosecutor is open to working things out, it means good news. Your defense attorney might talk about a plea deal. Thus, it means you can choose to say you are guilty if you are. This means that you are not contesting the charges. So, in a plea deal, you get a less severe punishment for owning up to your crime.
Remember, the degree of penalty, when compared to what you’d get in a trial, is less. If you went through the whole trial process, it could lead to a conviction. This is where indicted vs convicted comes into play. Your attorney will present every plea deal the prosecutor offers. Next, you decide if you want to accept it.
What Happens After An Indictment? Going To Trial Is An Option
If a plea deal is not on the table, you are looking at a definite trial. Moreover, even if you decide not to take it, it is time for the trial, too. This is where both sides present their case. Lastly, a jury decides if you are guilty or not. It is a whole process with witnesses, evidence, and arguments.
You Have The Right to Appeal
Now, what happens after an indictment and a trial? If you’re found guilty, don’t worry—you have the right to appeal. This means you can ask a higher court to review the decision. Remember, it is a way to make sure everything is fair and square.
To Conclude
Remember, the journey after an indictment is not an easy one. What happens after an indictment is quite complex and varied. It involves decisions about plea deals.
Moreover, it’s better not to underestimate the complexity of an actual trial process. You can enjoy the right to appeal if things don’t go your way. It’s a legal journey with twists and turns that can take time to unfold. So, by the looks of it, what happens after an indictment is kind of upto the person going through the case.
We hope you found the article informative and interesting! Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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