Indictments are typically used for what type of crime?

Indictments are formal accusations that a person has committed a crime and are most commonly associated with serious crimes. When a grand jury finds sufficient evidence, they issue an indictment, indicating that the evidence warrants moving forward with prosecution. This process is typically reserved for serious offenses where the implications of a conviction can be substantial, such as felonies.

While the answer points out that indictments relate to serious crimes, they are particularly relevant to felonies as these are the types of offenses that typically require the formal grand jury process. In contrast, minor infractions and traffic violations usually do not necessitate an indictment; these matters are generally handled through simpler legal processes without the formality of a grand jury.