Final answer:
An indictment is a formal charge by a grand jury required under Louisiana Criminal Code of Procedure art. 464 and the Fifth Amendment, ensuring the accused's right to due process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under Louisiana Criminal Code of Procedure art. 464, the indictment returned by the grand jury shall be a plain, concise, and definite written statement of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. This indictment must state for each count the official or customary citation of the statute which the defendant is alleged to have violated. According to the Fifth Amendment and legal precedents, a grand jury issues an indictment as a formal way of charging a person with a serious crime, ensuring that the individual's rights to due process are protected, including the right to a fair trial, the right to be informed of the accusations, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to have legal counsel.