What term refers to the formal charge issued by a grand jury?

• A. Information
• B. Indictment
• C. Bill of Indictment
• D. Complaint

Answer: (C)

When a grand jury finds sufficient cause, it issues a formal charging document. That written instrument is traditionally called a bill of indictment. It specifies the charges brought against the person and serves as the formal indictment. By contrast, an information is a charging document brought by a prosecutor without grand jury involvement, and a complaint is an initial sworn statement to commence proceedings. So the term that best fits the formal charge issued by a grand jury is bill of indictment.