CODE OF VIRGINIA

DEFINITION OF INDICTMENT, PRESENTMENT AND INFORMATION (§ 19.2-216)

An indictment is a written accusation of crime, prepared by the attorney for the
Commonwealth and returned “a true bill” upon the oath or affirmation
of a legally impanelled grand jury.A presentment is a written accusation of
crime prepared and returned by a grand jury from their own knowledge or
observation, without any bill of indictment laid before them.An information is a
written accusation of crime or a complaint for forfeiture of property or money
or for imposition of a penalty, prepared and presented by a competent public
official upon his oath of office.

HISTORY: 1975, c. 495.