Indictments vs Arrests vs Charges: Understanding the Differences

In the United States legal system, the processes of indictments, arrests, and charges are foundational elements of criminal procedure, each serving a distinct role in the administration of justice. While these terms are often mentioned in legal discussions and media reports, their specific meanings and implications can sometimes be confusing. This article aims to clarify the differences between indictments, arrests, and charges.

Arrests

An arrest occurs when law enforcement takes a person into custody, limiting their freedom because of suspicion that they have committed a crime. An arrest is typically the result of probable cause – meaning there is reasonable belief or evidence that the person has engaged in criminal activity.

Legal Framework for Arrests

• Probable Cause: Law enforcement officers need probable cause to make an arrest without a warrant.
• Arrest Warrants: Issued by a judge or magistrate, arrest warrants name the individual to be arrested and the alleged crime.

Charges

Charging someone involves formally accusing them of a crime. Charges are brought by a prosecutor or a law enforcement agency and are typically the next step after an arrest, although charges can sometimes precede an arrest.

Process of Filing Charges

• Initial Charges: Filed by prosecutors, initial charges outline the specific crimes the accused is alleged to have committed.
• Criminal Complaint: A written statement of the charges and evidence against the accused, filed in court by the prosecutor.

Indictments

An indictment is a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime, issued by a grand jury. The grand jury reviews evidence presented by the prosecutor and decides whether there is sufficient cause to bring someone to trial. Not all criminal charges require an indictment; this step is generally reserved for felony charges, depending on the jurisdiction.

Grand Jury Process

• Convening a Grand Jury: Comprised of citizens, a grand jury is convened to examine the evidence against the accused.
• Issuance of an Indictment: If the grand jury finds enough evidence, it issues an indictment, formally charging the individual with a crime.

Key Differences

• Arrests vs Charges: An arrest is the act of taking someone into custody, while charging is the act of formally accusing that person of a crime. An individual can be arrested without immediately being charged if the investigation continues after the arrest.
• Charges vs Indictments: Charges can be made directly by prosecutors through a criminal complaint or information without a grand jury, especially for misdemeanors. Indictments, however, require a grand jury’s decision and are used for more serious crimes, typically felonies.
• Indictments and Arrests: While an indictment can lead to an arrest, individuals might also be arrested before an indictment if probable cause exists. The indictment process can occur while the accused is either in custody following an arrest or not yet under arrest.

Key Similarities

While indictments, arrests, and charges are distinct processes within the U.S. legal system, they share some key similarities:

• Involvement in Criminal Proceedings: All three processes are integral parts of criminal legal proceedings, representing different stages of accusing and prosecuting alleged criminal activities.
• Based on Evidence: Each step, from arrests to indictments to charges, is underpinned by the necessity of evidence. Probable cause is needed for arrests; sufficient evidence is required for a grand jury to issue an indictment, and formal charges must be supported by evidence that suggests a crime has been committed.
• Legal Oversight: Arrests often require warrants issued by a judge, indictments are the product of a grand jury’s deliberation, and charges are filed by prosecutors, all indicating various forms of legal oversight and procedural standards to protect individuals’ rights.
• Presumption of Innocence: Despite the serious nature of arrests, indictments, and charges, they do not determine guilt. The accused individuals remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Do You Go to Jail for an Indictment?

Being indicted does not automatically mean that one will go to jail. An indictment is a formal accusation that a person has committed a crime, which allows the legal process to move forward to trial. However, whether the indicted individual goes to jail before trial depends on several factors:

• Bail and Pretrial Detention: After an indictment, the accused may be taken into custody but have the opportunity to be released on bail. Bail is a set amount of money that acts as insurance between the court and the defendant. Not all defendants are granted bail; the decision is influenced by factors including the nature of the crime, flight risk, and community safety concerns.
• Detention Without Bail: In more serious cases, particularly those involving violent crimes or significant flight risk, the court may order that the defendant be held in jail without bail until the trial.

If You’re Indicted, Does That Mean You’re Guilty?

No, being indicted does not mean that you are guilty. In the United States, the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” is a cornerstone of the legal system. An indictment merely signifies that enough evidence exists to charge someone with a crime and proceed to trial. Guilt or innocence is determined through the subsequent trial process, where the evidence is presented before a judge or jury. The purpose of the trial is to evaluate the strength of the evidence against the accused and to establish beyond a reasonable doubt whether the defendant committed the crime.

If You’re Indicted, Are You Getting Arrested?

An indictment does not automatically result in an arrest, but it often precedes or follows an arrest in criminal proceedings. When a person is indicted, it means a grand jury has formally accused them of a crime based on presented evidence. If the individual has not already been arrested prior to the indictment, the issuance of an indictment may lead to an arrest warrant. However, the specific circumstances can vary:

• Already in Custody: If the individual was arrested before the indictment, they might already be in custody when the indictment is issued.
• Issuance of Arrest Warrant: For individuals not yet in custody, an indictment often leads to the issuance of an arrest warrant. Law enforcement will then seek to arrest the individual based on this warrant.

What Is Needed for You to Get Indicted?

An indictment requires:

• Grand Jury Proceedings: A group of citizens called a grand jury convenes to review evidence presented by a prosecutor.
• Sufficient Evidence: The grand jury must determine there is enough evidence to reasonably believe the individual committed the crime. This is not a determination of guilt but rather probable cause to proceed to trial.
• Prosecutorial Recommendation: While the grand jury makes the final decision, the process is initiated by a prosecutor who believes there is sufficient evidence to charge the individual and seeks the grand jury’s agreement.

What Is Needed for You to Get Arrested?

An arrest can occur under different conditions, typically involving:

• Probable Cause: Law enforcement needs probable cause to believe that the person has committed a crime. Probable cause is a reasonable basis for believing that a crime may have been committed and that the person arrested is responsible for that crime.
• Arrest Warrant: Issued by a judge or magistrate, an arrest warrant is a legal document authorizing the arrest and detention of an individual, specifying the alleged crimes. Warrants are usually based on evidence presented by law enforcement or a prosecutor.
• Warrantless Arrests: In certain situations, law enforcement officers can make an arrest without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe a crime is being committed in their presence or if there is an immediate risk of the suspect fleeing, causing harm to others, or destroying evidence.

References

• Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. “Arrest.” https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/arrest
• Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. “Indictment.” https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/indictment
• United States Courts. “Criminal Charges.” https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/types-cases/criminal-cases/criminal-charges