Louisiana Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

What must happen before a grand jury can issue an indictment?

1. Pre-trial hearing

2. Evidence presentation

3. Defendant's plea

4. Trial commencement

The correct answer is: Evidence presentation

Before a grand jury can issue an indictment, there must be a presentation of evidence. The grand jury's primary role is to determine whether there is enough substantial evidence to formally charge an individual with a crime. During this process, witnesses may be called, documents may be reviewed, and various forms of evidence may be introduced. The presentation of this evidence allows the grand jury to assess the validity of the charges against the accused and decide whether to issue an indictment. The other options, while related to the judicial process, do not occur prior to an indictment. A pre-trial hearing typically takes place after a grand jury has issued an indictment, during which legal issues are addressed before the trial begins. A defendant's plea is relevant to the proceedings that follow an indictment, as it occurs during arraignment and not before the grand jury's decision. Trial commencement marks the formal beginning of court proceedings after an indictment has been secured, which is also out of sequence with the grand jury process.