An indictment is a formal written accusation issued by a grand jury, charging an individual with a crime after reviewing evidence presented by a prosecutor. It’s typically used in felony cases in the U.S. federal system and some state systems, signifying that there’s sufficient probable cause to believe the accused committed the offense. The indictment outlines specific charges, like murder or fraud, and key details, such as dates or actions, to inform the defendant of the allegations. It triggers the next phase of the criminal process, like arraignment, where the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty. For example, if a grand jury finds enough evidence that someone committed embezzlement, they issue an indictment to formally bring the case to trial.