What is a true bill of indictment?

A true bill of indictment is a formal accusation that is issued by a grand jury after reviewing evidence presented by the prosecution. This process serves as a crucial step in the criminal justice system, allowing a case to move forward to trial. When a grand jury issues a true bill, it signifies that they believe there is enough evidence to charge the individual and proceed with prosecution.

This mechanism is essential because it helps to ensure that individuals are not subjected to trial without sufficient evidence, thereby providing a check on prosecutorial power. In contrast, the other options refer to different stages or components of the criminal justice process. For instance, plea agreements are made between the defense and prosecution prior to trial, while a jury delivers a verdict after the trial has taken place, and a judge issues a sentence following a conviction or guilty plea. Each of those roles is distinct from the preliminary assessment made by a grand jury when issuing a true bill of indictment.