It can be by a grand jury or a prosecutor, but the long and short of it is often phrased as "charges have been filed." Doesn't have to mean a warrant for arrest has been issued, or the accused has appeared in court, or anything else besides "legal action is being sought against the accused."
chickenman7 t1_jedekbd wrote
Reply to eli5 What does “indicted” mean? by jcw10489
To be officially accused of a crime. That's it.
It can be by a grand jury or a prosecutor, but the long and short of it is often phrased as "charges have been filed." Doesn't have to mean a warrant for arrest has been issued, or the accused has appeared in court, or anything else besides "legal action is being sought against the accused."