If you or someone you love has been charged with a federal crime, you may hear that a grand jury has returned an indictment. For many people, this sounds frightening and final. It can feel like the case is already decided. But a grand jury indictment does not mean you have been found guilty. It simply means the government has received permission to move forward with criminal charges.

Understanding what a grand jury indictment really means can help you better prepare for what happens next in your federal case, and a federal criminal defense lawyer can guide you through each step and help you protect your rights moving forward.

What Is a Grand Jury?

A grand jury is a group of citizens chosen by the court to review evidence presented by federal prosecutors. Their job is not to decide guilt or innocence. Instead, they decide whether there is enough evidence to formally charge someone with a federal crime.

In federal court, prosecutors usually must obtain an indictment before bringing felony charges. This requirement comes from the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Grand jury proceedings are not open to the public. There is no judge deciding the case and no defence attorney making arguments during the process, unlike a trial.

What Happens During an Indictment?

Federal prosecutors show evidence, witnesses, and testimony to the grand jury that they think backs up the criminal charges. After that, the grand jurors vote on whether there is enough evidence to go forward.

“Probable cause” is a legal term that means something is likely to happen. It means that there is enough proof to think that a crime may have happened and that the person who is accused may be to blame.

The grand jury issues an indictment if most of the grand jurors agree. This paper lists the official criminal charges that the government plans to bring.

Indictments Are Not Convictions

One of the most important things to know is that being charged with a crime does not mean you are guilty. It doesn’t mean that a judge has looked at your defences, that a jury has heard both sides of the story, or that the evidence has been fully looked at in court. It also does not mean you have lost your case. An indictment simply means the government has decided to move forward with charges, and you still have the right to defend yourself.

An indictment just means that the prosecution has completed the first step in the process of starting a federal criminal case. You still have the full right under the Constitution to defend yourself, challenge the government’s evidence, and require prosecutors to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Federal investigations are often lengthy. The FBI, DEA, IRS, or ATF may take months or even years to gather evidence before bringing a case to a grand jury.

Because of this, it can be hard to deal with federal charges once they are filed. Prosecutors usually only go after cases that they think they can win. But just because the charges are strong doesn’t mean the person will be found guilty.

A lot of federal cases can be successfully challenged by using legal motions, negotiation, or trial defence strategies.

What Happens After an Indictment?

After an indictment is issued, several important steps usually follow:

• Arrest or notice to appear in court
• Initial appearance before a federal judge
• Detention or bond hearing
• Arraignment, where charges are formally read
• Discovery and case preparation

At this point, your defence becomes very important. People start to look closely at the evidence, witnesses may be questioned, and legal defences are made.

Can Charges Be Contested After an Indictment?

Yes. Even after a grand jury indictment, there are still a number of ways to fight the charges.

A lawyer who defends people in federal criminal cases may:

• Make motions to keep evidence that was gotten illegally out of court
• Dispute wiretaps or search warrants
• Doubt the reliability of witnesses
• Find violations of the Constitution
• Negotiate reduced charges or have them dropped.

Sometimes, the defense’s investigation only shows flaws in the government’s case after it has started.

Early Legal Help Is Important

Many people believe they should wait until court dates are scheduled before hiring a lawyer. In federal cases, waiting can be a mistake.

Federal prosecutors and investigators start putting together their case long before an indictment is filed. The sooner a defence lawyer gets involved, the sooner steps can be taken to protect your rights and get ready for a strong response.

Getting legal advice early on can help you talk to investigators, avoid saying things that could hurt your case, and get your case ready for the best possible outcome.

Speak With a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

Getting a notice of a federal indictment can be scary, but it’s important to remember that this is just the beginning of the legal process. You still have rights, defences, and chances to fight the charges against you.

Every federal case is different. The best course of action will depend on the facts, the evidence, and the claims being made. As your case moves forward, working with a good federal criminal defence lawyer can make a big difference.

From the start, the team at Ryan Willis Law helps clients understand federal charges, protect their rights, and come up with strong defence strategies. To schedule a private consultation, call (919) 341-6294 or fill out our online contact form.