Indictment
/ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/
nounB2
Definition
An indictment is a formal, official charge or accusation made by a court or legal body saying that a person has committed a serious crime. It means the person will have to go to trial to answer the accusation. It is not the same as being found guilty; it is the first step in the legal process.
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See It in Action
Formal legal charge of a serious crime
- •The grand jury issued an indictment against the suspect.
- •After the indictment, the accused must appear in court.
- •The indictment listed several crimes, including fraud and theft.
A strong statement of blame or criticism (less common, figurative)
- •The report was an indictment of the company’s poor safety practices.
- •His speech was an indictment of the government’s failure to act.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "indictment" like "accuse," but more official and serious because it comes from the court
- ✓Picture a judge or lawyer holding a paper that says someone is charged with a crime
- ✓It's the feeling of serious trouble when the law says you must answer for something bad you are accused of
- ✓Sounds like "in-DITE-ment" → imagine a light ("dite" sounds like "light") shining on someone to show they are being watched carefully by the law
- ✓Think of courtroom dramas where a lawyer reads the indictment to start the trial
- ✓NOT like "accuse" (which can be informal or by anyone), "indictment" is an official legal document from a court
- ✓NOT like "conviction" (which means found guilty), "indictment" means only charged, not proven guilty yet
- ✓NOT like "complaint" (which can be a simple problem or claim), "indictment" is serious and legal
Try Other Words
- •Accusation: a claim that someone did something wrong (Use when less formal or outside court)
- •Charge: formal claim of wrongdoing (Use in legal contexts, often less formal than indictment)
- •Complaint: a statement that something is wrong (Use for less serious or initial claims)
- •Allegation: a claim without proof yet (Use when the crime is not proven)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "in-" (in, on) + "dict" (say, speak) + "-ment" (noun suffix meaning action or result)
- •Etymology: From Latin "indictare," meaning "to declare" or "to proclaim"
- •Historical development: Originally meant to formally declare something, later used in law for formal criminal charges
- •Modern usage: Used mainly in legal systems to mean the formal document charging someone with a serious crime
Reflect & Connect
•How does an indictment affect a person's life before they are proven guilty?
•Why do you think legal systems use formal indictments instead of just accusing someone verbally?
Fill in the blanks
1.The grand jury issued an indictment ___ the man was suspected of fraud and must go to trial.
2.An indictment means the person is officially ___ for a serious crime but not yet found guilty.
3.Unlike a conviction, an indictment is only the ___ step in the legal process.
4.A strong report can be seen as an indictment ___ poor management or bad decisions.
5.The lawyer read the indictment ___ the courtroom to start the legal case.
6.After receiving an indictment, the accused must prepare to ___ in court.
7.An indictment is more serious than a simple accusation because it comes from a ___ legal authority.