no true bill | Definition

Doc's CJ Glossary by Adam J. McKee
Course: Courts

No true bill” means that the grand jury has determined that there is not enough evidence to support the charges being considered.


When a grand jury is convened to determine whether there is probable cause to charge a person with a crime, they may choose to issue either an indictment or a “no true bill.”

Essentially, it is a decision not to indict the person being investigated. This can occur for various reasons, including insufficient evidence, lack of probable cause, or conflicting testimony.

When a grand jury returns a “no true bill,” the person being investigated will not face criminal charges related to the specific matter under consideration. However, it is important to note that a “no true bill” does not necessarily mean that the person is innocent of the crime being investigated; it simply means that there was insufficient evidence to support a criminal indictment.

Overall, the decision to issue a “no true bill” is made by the grand jury based on the evidence presented to them during the course of the investigation. It is an important part of the legal process that helps to ensure that individuals are not charged with crimes based on insufficient evidence or a lack of probable cause.


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Last Modified: 03/10/2023

 

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