Which body determines indictments based on evidence presented by the prosecutor?

Which body determines indictments based on evidence presented by the prosecutor?

• A. Trial Court
• B. General Sessions
• C. Grand Jury
• D. Summary Court

Answer: (C)

Indictments are issued by the grand jury. This body acts as a screening panel that hears evidence presented by the prosecutor and decides whether there is enough probable cause to charge someone with a crime. If they find sufficient evidence, they return an indictment, moving the case to trial; if not, they may return a no-bill and charges don’t proceed. They don’t determine guilt or innocence—those decisions come later in the trial court. Trial courts, and other courts like general sessions or summary courts, handle the actual prosecution, trial, and judgments, not the charging decision.

Indictments are issued by the grand jury. This body acts as a screening panel that hears evidence presented by the prosecutor and decides whether there is enough probable cause to charge someone with a crime. If they find sufficient evidence, they return an indictment, moving the case to trial; if not, they may return a no-bill and charges don’t proceed. They don’t determine guilt or innocence—those decisions come later in the trial court. Trial courts, and other courts like general sessions or summary courts, handle the actual prosecution, trial, and judgments, not the charging decision.