[Brittany124]

I don't want to sound dumb cause I said my boyfriend had been indicted on charges, and I really don't even know what that is. Could anyone try to explain it to me. My friend has tried but she makes it sound worse then I think it really is. I also want to know if you have indictments does this mean you are for sure being convicted with those crimes no matter what?

[Perito]

An indictment is more like an accusation. Usually a grand jury is who indicts someone. The grand jury looks at the evidence and decides that there is probable cause that 1) a crime has been committed and 2) the person they indicted is the one who committed the crime.

It's generally thought to be worse than simply being charged with a crime but by no means does it guarantee a conviction. The burden of proof is much lower to get an indictment than it is to get a conviction. That being said, there's a high probability (based on statistics) that your BF is guilty and will be convicted if he has been indicted.

[J_9]

It means that he has been charged in a crime.

It doesn't necessarily mean he will be convicted, but he most likely needs a good attorney.

[patheticu]

Is a formal accusation that a person has committed a criminal offense. In those jurisdictions which retain the concept of a felony, the serious criminal offense would be a felony; those jurisdictions which have abolished the concept of a felony often substitute the concept of an indictable offence, i.e. an offence which requires an indictment.