Indictment

/ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.

The grand jury returned an indictment against the suspect for armed robbery.

A written statement charging a party with the commission of a crime.

The defendant was shocked to receive the indictment detailing the charges against him.

A sign or expression of strong disapproval.

The report served as an indictment of the government's handling of the crisis.

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from 'indicter' meaning to proclaim, from Latin 'indictare'.

grand jury indictment

A formal accusation issued by a grand jury.

sealed indictment

An indictment that is kept confidential until it is unsealed by the court.

indictment in absentia

An indictment issued when a defendant is not present.

accusation

A statement claiming that someone has done something illegal or wrong.

prosecution

The act of conducting legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.

conviction

A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense.

Indictment Day

When everyone expects big news and possible indictments to drop.

Going down

When someone is about to be indicted, people say they are 'going down'.