Final answer:
A grand jury issues an indictment if it believes there is sufficient evidence to charge someone with a crime. This step is necessary for federal felony charges under the Fifth Amendment. However, states may not require grand juries and instead use preliminary hearings to determine whether to proceed to trial.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a grand jury believes that enough evidence exists to charge a person with a crime, it issues an indictment. This legal process is part of the federal criminal justice system, where an indictment serves as a formal charge that initiates criminal proceedings against the accused individual. An indictment essentially signifies that the grand jury has found probable cause to believe the individual has committed a crime and should be tried.
Under the Fifth Amendment, an indictment is required for federal felony charges but is not always used in state courts, where alternative procedures, such as preliminary hearings, might be in place. It's also important to note that in some cases, instead of going to trial, the prosecution and defense may engage in plea bargaining, which often results in the accused pleading guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence.