Which term describes the formal accusation resulting from a grand jury process?

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

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is the formal accusation that comes from a grand jury hearing. When a grand jury reviews evidence and finds probable cause, it returns an indictment—the formal charge naming the defendant and describing the alleged offenses. This instrument launches the criminal proceedings in court. A related term, true bill, is sometimes used, but the standard modern term is indictment. In contrast, an information is a charging document filed by a prosecutor without a grand jury, and a complaint is typically used to start cases in lower courts. A bill of indictment is an older or alternate way to refer to the same instrument as an indictment, but the commonly used term today is indictment. So the best answer is indictment because it precisely describes the formal charge resulting from the grand jury process.