What Does a True Bill Mean in a Legal Document?
Grand juries perform important functions, including listening to criminal charges and deciding whether to return a true bill of indictment.
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Definition
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A true bill of indictment is a decision made by a grand jury that allows a formal trial to proceed.
History
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.A true bill used to be known as a "billa vera," which means "true bill" in Latin. True bills were established in English common law tradition and survive in American law.
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Probable Cause
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The foundation of a true bill of indictment is probable cause. When the prosecutor presents evidence to the grand jury, it must be of enough weight that a common person would think a crime was probably committed
Procedure
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Courtroom Grand jurors hear evidence presented by a prosecutor. Afterward, if probable cause is found by a majority, they vote to return the indictment. The indictment is then valid and a criminal case is initiated in the courts.
Considerations
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If a majority of the grand jury does not find probable cause, a bill of ignoramous is returned. The indictment is no longer valid and a criminal case does not result.
The prosecutor may still pursue criminal charges against the suspect. Prosecutors can recall the grand jury with more evidence, call a second grand jury, or file a criminal complaint and proceed without the grand jury in states that do not require one.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of umjanedoan Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia
