webby37 OP t1_jee8gl1 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 11:38 AM

Reply to comment by ken120 in ELI5: What is the difference between an arraignment and an indictment? by webby37

Can I press more: I guess we use charge and indictment interchangeably, then, to essentially mean the paper versus the presentation of them? Am I in the ballpark?

ken120 t1_jee93k7 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 11:44 AM

Indictment is more the formal process of filing charges. When the prosecutors believe they have sufficient evidence to support them in court. They can enlist a grand jury to decide if there is enough evidence to warrant it before hand, but all the grand jury looks for is if they believe there is enough evidence to go to trial, usually used in what expected to be high profile cases not always used.

Arraignment is the formal procedure for the defendant to enter his plea with the judge.

[deleted] t1_jee9oac wrote on March 31, 2023 at 11:50 AM

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