bill of indictment: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Legal
Quick answer
What does “bill of indictment” mean?
A formal written accusation presented by a prosecutor to a court, charging a person with a crime.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal written accusation presented by a prosecutor to a court, charging a person with a crime.
In British and other common law jurisdictions, the official document containing the charges against a defendant that initiates a trial in the Crown Court (UK). It can also refer more broadly to any formal, written criminal charge presented to a court.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, a 'bill of indictment' is the specific document signed by a judge to confirm the case will proceed to Crown Court trial. In the US, the term is used less specifically and is largely synonymous with 'indictment' itself, which is the formal charge issued by a grand jury.
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes a specific procedural step and formal document. In the US, it primarily connotes the grand jury process and the formal charging instrument.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK legal texts due to its specific procedural role. In US legal texts, 'indictment' is more commonly used, with 'bill of indictment' appearing as a more formal or explanatory variant.
Grammar
How to Use “bill of indictment” in a Sentence
[Verb] + bill of indictment (e.g., sign, prefer, file)bill of indictment + [Preposition] + [Charge/Court] (e.g., against the defendant, for murder, to the Crown Court)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bill of indictment” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Crown Prosecution Service will indict the suspect formally.
- He was indicted on three counts of fraud.
American English
- The grand jury voted to indict the public official.
- She was indicted for conspiracy.
adverb
British English
- The case proceeded indictably.
- (Rare usage)
American English
- He was charged indictably by the grand jury.
- (Rare usage)
adjective
British English
- The indictable offence required a bill of indictment.
- He faced indictable proceedings.
American English
- The indictable charges were serious.
- An indictable offense under federal law.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the context of corporate crime or regulatory proceedings.
Academic
Used in law journals, historical texts, and comparative legal studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Replaced by simpler terms like 'formal charges' or 'taken to court'.
Technical
Core term in criminal procedure, court documents, and legal practice manuals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bill of indictment”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bill of indictment”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bill of indictment”
- Using it interchangeably with 'lawsuit' or 'complaint' (which are civil).
- Capitalizing it unnecessarily unless it's a title of a specific document.
- Saying 'he got a bill of indictment' in casual conversation instead of 'he was formally charged'.
- Confusing 'prefer a bill' (legal procedure) with 'prefer' meaning 'like more'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In UK terminology, an 'indictment' is the formal written accusation itself. A 'bill of indictment' is the specific draft document submitted to a judge for signature to become the official indictment. In the US, the terms are often used interchangeably.
No. In the UK, it is historically used for 'indictable offences' (serious crimes) triable in the Crown Court before a judge and jury. Summary offences (less serious) do not require a bill of indictment.
It is typically drafted and preferred (formally presented) by the prosecution (e.g., the Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales). It must then be signed by a judge to become valid.
For trials of serious offences in the Crown Court in the UK, a valid bill of indictment (signed by a judge) was traditionally essential to found the court's jurisdiction. Modern procedural rules have simplified the process, but the underlying concept remains fundamental.
A formal written accusation presented by a prosecutor to a court, charging a person with a crime.
Bill of indictment is usually formal/legal in register.
Bill of indictment: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪl əv ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪl əv ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “prefer a bill of indictment (legal procedure)”
- “sign off on a bill of indictment”
- “the bill of indictment hangs over him”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a restaurant BILL you receive for a meal; a BILL OF INDICTMENT is the formal 'charge sheet' the state presents for an alleged crime, detailing what you're accused of.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ARE A JOURNEY (The bill of indictment is the official map/route that initiates the journey to trial).
Practice
Quiz
In which jurisdiction is the term 'bill of indictment' a specific, mandatory procedural document for serious offences?