What is a no true bill?

Answer 1

Another way of phrasing - you ARE indicted - versus you were NOT indicted.

To clarify, the defendant can be turned over to a jury for indictment; but shouldn't be too scared just yet! They will decide if there is reasons beyond a reasonable doubt to actually indict the defendant. Its just their way of saying they believe its a good possibility that the crime was committed by the defendant and want it to go to trial to learn more about the case. That's one of many reasons why it's important to be honest!

When a true bill is passed, the defendant are indicted and turned over to a grand jury. More court cases will follow depending on what the defendant and lawyer do next and what the crime was. Note that more serious crimes may skip steps! Some crimes go straight to indictment! You can choose to make a deal or you can choose to fight. Making a deal usually involves admission of guilt but you'll receive less court time and possibly a lighter sentence.

Fighting will cost more money and time, but if you know you're not guilty, or there is no solid evidence available, is the best route. When you choose to fight, the burden of proof will be divided between defendant and the plaintiff where as, likely when the case began, the burden was on the plaintiff mostly to try to prove that the defendant is guilty and to warrant a case. Or submission of evidence that show this without a doubt. The defendant's burden is many but their goal is to prove that any evidence against them is doubtful and or not true. Both parties must be careful because anyone caught lying supposed to be charged with perjury. (Though in my experience that greatly depends on the judge) The longer the case takes, the greater the possibility that the truth will come out because it allows both parties to build their cases against the other.

If a no true bill is passed, the defendant is done. They will still have a record but this means the jury believes that either the evidence is not credible enough or that the defendant did no crime. The defendant is then responsible for expunging their record, which is a good idea.

Answer 2

the Grand Jury found no reasonable cause to believe my client committed the crime charged.