Louisiana Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

In a federal criminal trial, what is the term for an indictment that is kept secret until certain conditions are met?

1. Sealed Indictment

2. Open Indictment

3. Public Indictment

4. Grand Jury Indictment

The correct answer is: Open Indictment

The term that describes an indictment kept secret until certain conditions are met is known as a sealed indictment. This legal practice is typically employed to protect the integrity of an investigation, prevent the potential destruction of evidence, or avoid alerting suspects who have not yet been arrested. Sealed indictments can be unsealed by the court when the conditions dictating that secrecy have been fulfilled. In the context of criminal law, options describing open, public, or grand jury indictments do not apply to this specific scenario. An open indictment does not maintain confidentiality and allows for public awareness, while a public indictment is fully accessible to the public as a part of the record. A grand jury indictment refers to the process by which a grand jury formally charges a defendant, but it does not imply the same level of confidentiality that a sealed indictment does. Understanding sealed indictments is essential for comprehending the nuances of federal criminal procedures and the rationale behind maintaining confidentiality in legal matters.