In the United States, a federal indictment is written statement formally accusing a person of a crime. This is usually handed down by a grand jury after they have reviewed evidence and decided that there is sufficient to try a person for the crime. After a federal indictment, the accused person is arrested and detained, unless he can pay his set bail. He will then plead not guilty or guilty. In the case of a not guilty plea, the case will usually proceed to trial.
After a federal indictment, if an accused person has not already been detained, law enforcement officials will attempt to locate and arrest him. In many cases, an arrest warrant will be issued. This is a document officially stating that police officers can and will arrest him. When the accused has been arrested, he may then go before a judge for a bail hearing.
During the bail hearing, a judge will look at the details of the case and determine whether the accused is a serious flight risk. In cases involving particularly violent crimes or repeat offenders, the accused may be denied bail. Other times, the judge will set an amount that the accused must pay to get out of jail, known as a bail amount.
The next step after a federal indictment and bail hearing is usually a preliminary hearing known as an arraignment, or a post federal indictment arraignment. This is a short hearing in which the defendant is formally read the details concerning the crimes of which he is accused. He is then given a chance to plead guilty or not guilty.
A person may choose to plead guilty because of an overwhelming amount of evidence against him. Sometimes, federal prosecutors may also offer him a plea bargain, or plea agreement. With a plea agreement, prosecutors typically offer to charge the defendant with a lesser crime or impose a lighter sentence in exchange for him pleading guilty.
Defendants who choose to plead not guilty will typically go through a criminal trial. During this trial, prosecutors will present the evidence against the defendant, including any eyewitness and forensic evidence. A defendant's attorneys will also be allowed to state their case, presenting evidence in defense of the accused.
When both parties have presented all of their evidence, a jury will then deliberate before making a decision whether the defendant is guilty. If found guilty, a judge will then decide on a sentence. This can include stiff fines, along with incarceration. Defendants who have been found not guilty are free to leave.