An indictment is a formal accusation that a person has committed a crime. It is typically issued by a grand jury, which is a group of citizens that reviews evidence presented by a prosecutor. If the grand jury believes there is enough evidence, they will issue the indictment, allowing the legal process to move forward. The indictment outlines the specific charges against the individual and serves as a notification of the legal action being taken. It is an important step in the criminal justice system, ensuring that serious charges are evaluated before proceeding to trial, protecting the rights of the accused.