What is the difference between an indictment and an information?

In Virginia, an indictment and an information are two types of formal criminal charges. Both refer to a document that is legally filed by the prosecutor, or the government, in a court of law, accusing a particular person of a crime. The primary difference between the two is how they are filed. An indictment is issued by a grand jury. This means that a group of citizens reviews the evidence presented by the prosecutor and decides if there is probable cause to bring formal charges. If the grand jury decides that the evidence warrants it, the grand jury will file an indictment against the accused. On the other hand, an information is not issued by a grand jury. Instead, the prosecutor has the authority to file an information if he or she believes there is sufficient probable cause to bring formal charges. While both an indictment and an information are serious legal documents, an indictment requires more stringent proof of guilt than an information. Additionally, an indictment can lead to more severe punishment if the accused is convicted of the crime. Ultimately, both an indictment and an information are serious charges brought against a person in a criminal court. In Virginia, the key distinction is that an indictment is issued by a grand jury while an information is issued by the prosecutor directly.

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What is the difference between an indictment and an information?

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