ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

If a Grand Jury finds probable cause, what document do they issue?

1. Subpoena

2. True bill/indictment

3. Search warrant

4. Citation

The correct answer is: True bill/indictment

When a Grand Jury finds probable cause, they issue a true bill or indictment. This document formally charges an individual with a crime and is a crucial step in the criminal justice process. The Grand Jury serves to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to bring a case to trial, and their finding of probable cause leads to the indictment, allowing the legal proceedings to advance. This process is an important safeguard in the justice system, as it requires an independent body to evaluate the evidence presented by the prosecutor before an individual can be formally charged. This ensures that individuals are not subject to prosecution without sound legal basis. The other choices, such as subpoenas, search warrants, and citations, serve different purposes in the legal process. A subpoena compels a witness to testify or produce evidence, a search warrant allows law enforcement to conduct a search of a property for evidence, and a citation is generally used for minor offenses, typically as a summons to appear in court. Each of these has its distinct role and is not associated with the process of charging an individual based on a Grand Jury's determination of probable cause.