On Sept. 25, a federal grand jury handed up an indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, making him the first sitting mayor in the city’s history to be charged with a crime. Fordham Law Professor Cheryl Bader was quoted in an ABC News article that breaks down what an indictment is, what happens after an indictment, and more.
Why prosecutors may take longer for an indictment
However, Southerland noted that prosecutors can start with the criminal indictment process, especially if their case needs more evidence to press those charges.
Cheryl Bader, an associate clinical professor of law at Fordham University, told ABC News that such a move is common in white-collar criminal investigations that involve looking at delicate nuances in the state law and require more time.
Bader said investigations into prominent figures also prompt prosecutors’ offices to make their case to the grand jury in the most meticulous and thorough way possible.
“In an investigation like (the Trump case), the prosecutor isn’t in a rush and wants to put their ducks in order. They want the evidence fully organized before they go to trial,” Bader told ABC News.
Bader said suspects who are indicted can be arrested and remanded into custody while they await trial, but in most white-collar cases, the defendant is released on their own recognizance.
Read “What is an indictment?” on ABC News.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published in April 2023 and has been updated.