Final answer:
Indictments must be prepared and approved before being presented to the grand jury. The Fifth Amendment mandates grand jury indictments for federal felonies, while states must use an equivalent fair process. The process protects an individual's right to a fair trial and ensures due process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Outright indictments to be presented before the grand jury must be prepared and approved before the case will be placed on an upcoming Grand Jury docket.
Under the Fifth Amendment, the requirement is for a grand jury to issue an indictment before a person can be tried in federal court for a felony. This process includes assessing if there is sufficient evidence of a crime to warrant a prosecution.
While the Supreme Court has ruled that states are not mandated to use grand juries, they must institute an equally fair process. The grand jury's role is critical in ensuring that an accused individual receives a fair trial and that due process is followed according to constitutional standards.