What is the purpose of a grand jury indictment?
A grand jury indictment is a legal document issued by a grand jury after hearing evidence provided by the prosecution in a criminal case in the state of Montana. It is used to inform the defendant of the charges they are facing and is required before someone can be placed on trial. The purpose of a grand jury indictment is to protect citizens from being prosecuted and/or incarcerated without sufficient evidence. A grand jury indictment can only be issued when the evidence presented is clear and substantial enough to warrant a legal indictment by the grand jury. This is an important measure as it prevents individuals from being unfairly and unnecessarily prosecuted. To receive an indictment, a prosecutor must present evidence to a grand jury and prove that the evidence is sufficient to justify a trial. The grand jury is comprised of citizens who will provide unbiased assessments of the facts and evidence in order to make sure that the prosecutor’s accusations are founded in law and fact. Once sufficient evidence is presented, a grand jury may issue an indictment as they have determined that the defendant has probably committed a crime. In summary, the purpose of a grand jury indictment is to protect citizens from being unfairly prosecuted. Grand juries in Montana are used to determine whether or not the evidence provided is sufficient and if an individual should be brought to trial to face the charges brought against them.
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