Why are some indictments sealed

For example, if the U. Attorney's Office with a copy. When a sealed indictment is filed, all documents in the case are sealed. When the indictment is unsealed, all the documents in the case are unsealed unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge. If someone is indicted by a grand jury, then the charges typically will include at least one felony crime. The Fifth Amendment to the U.

Constitution prevents "capital" or "infamous" crimes being charged without presentment to a grand jury — that's why many states use them to charge felonies. Other states use a comparable process called a preliminary hearing, in which a lower court judge reviews the evidence to determine whether there's enough evidence that the suspect has committed a felony.

If there's probable cause, the judge may "indict" or order the case be sent to the appropriate court for trial. For offenses like sex crimes and drugs conspiracy, there's a fair chance the indictment will be sealed at first instance. Jayne Thompson earned an LL.

Her work has appeared on numerous legal blogs including Quittance, Upcounsel and Medical Negligence Experts. Reviewed by: Michelle Seidel, B. What Is a Felony 5 Charge? Learn the best ways to help get your loved one get out of jail quickly for a massage parlor arrest. In the matters of massage parlor arrests, it's crucial to understand how sealed indictments work and how they can affect getting your loved one out of jail. It makes it nearly impossible to know if an arrest warrant is active or what the bail amount is set to.

It presents difficulty in making arrangements for a self-surrender and quick bailout. Typically, sealed indictments are used as a tool to arrest a defendant quickly and without notice. Even in the event that a client is cooperating with an investigation, a sealed indictment may still be utilized to arrest a defendant. Unfortunately, arrests are often publicized and leaks to the press are common. This adds further humiliation for clients since an arrest can happen at any time, and it may be caught on camera by local news organizations.

When it comes to massage parlor arrests, A-1 Bail Bonds has some tips:. If you or a loved one have been exposed to criminal liability due to working in a massage parlor, we can help. Contact A-1 Bail Bonds today at to learn more about how we can assist you with all your bail bond needs. Aug 15, Share.