The courts
indictment
The formal criminal charge returned by a grand jury. It is an accusation, not a finding of guilt, and it says nothing about whether the case will succeed.
In full
An indictment lists the counts, the statutes allegedly violated, and enough factual detail for the defendant to prepare a defense. Prosecutors may also charge less serious offenses by information, without a grand jury, if the defendant waives indictment. A sealed indictment stays secret until arrest.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.