What is the purpose of a grand jury indictment?

A grand jury indictment is a document used by the state of South Carolina to initiate criminal proceedings in court. The purpose of a grand jury indictment is to determine whether or not there is enough evidence to bring a person to trial for a crime they are accused of. Grand juries, which consist of citizens who hear evidence presented by the prosecuting attorney, decide whether or not there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed. If the grand jury finds probable cause, they will issue an indictment, which charges the accused person with the crime. An indictment serves to inform the accused person of the charges against them and provides the court with the necessary legal basis to begin a criminal trial. The indictment is also used to bring the accused person before the court. In South Carolina, a person who is indicted is entitled to a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to support the charges in the indictment. If so, the court will then issue an arrest warrant and the accused person will be taken into custody. The grand jury indictment is intended to ensure that the accused person is given fair and equal treatment throughout the criminal process. The indictment is also used to protect innocent individuals by making sure that they are not unfairly accused or charged. In addition, the grand jury helps protect the public by ensuring that individuals accused of serious crimes are brought to justice.

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What is the purpose of a grand jury indictment?

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