What happens if a federal grand jury finds probable cause?
If, after voting, at least 12 members of the panel have agreed that the evidence demonstrates probable cause, then the grand jury returns a “true bill,” better known as an indictment. An indictment is the written document that charges one or more defendants, and it may contain one or more counts, or accusations of specific crimes. All indictments are then presented (sometimes referred to as “handed up”) to a federal magistrate judge in open court.
