Which statement correctly describes the indictment's impact on prosecution?

Which statement correctly describes the indictment's impact on prosecution?

• A. Indictment prevents any further prosecution
• B. Indictment allows continued prosecution by indictment
• C. Indictment requires defense input for validity
• D. Indictment eliminates secrecy in proceedings

Answer: (B)

An indictment is the formal charging document that begins criminal proceedings and sets the exact accusations the prosecution will prove at trial. Once charges are in place, the government is free to move the case forward through arraignment, discovery, and eventually trial on those charges. The validity of the indictment isn’t contingent on the defense providing input; instead, the defense can respond, challenge, or seek dismissal, but that input isn’t what makes the indictment valid. The statement that best captures this is that an indictment allows continued prosecution on those charges. The other options misstate the effect: an indictment does not stop prosecution, it does not require defense input for validity, and it does not automatically erase secrecy in all proceedings, since certain aspects of the process (like grand jury secrecy) can remain in play.

An indictment is the formal charging document that begins criminal proceedings and sets the exact accusations the prosecution will prove at trial. Once charges are in place, the government is free to move the case forward through arraignment, discovery, and eventually trial on those charges. The validity of the indictment isn’t contingent on the defense providing input; instead, the defense can respond, challenge, or seek dismissal, but that input isn’t what makes the indictment valid. The statement that best captures this is that an indictment allows continued prosecution on those charges. The other options misstate the effect: an indictment does not stop prosecution, it does not require defense input for validity, and it does not automatically erase secrecy in all proceedings, since certain aspects of the process (like grand jury secrecy) can remain in play.