Yes - Huber was tasked with processing a lot of these. Grand juries and all. As to it being served - it is sealed and secret. It MAY have been served but this is actually how mob/mafia are brought down as well - it's processed without them knowing. Here's the definition:
An indictment is a formal accusation of a felony, issued by a grand jury based upon a proposed charge, witnesses' testimony and other evidence presented by the public prosecutor (District Attorney). It is the grand jury's determination that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial voted by a grand jury. In order to issue an indictment, the grand jury doesn't make a determination of guilt, but only the probability that a crime was committed, that the accused person did it and that he/she should be tried. District Attorneys do not present a full case to the grand jury, but often only introduce key facts sufficient to show the probability that the accused committed a crime.
To be clear, these are sealed CASES. We have a bit of backchannel info pointing to the fact that they are ALL likely indictments, but for now they are not categorized on purpose.
Not a backlog per se - again as Q indicated these things are going down in a bit of an avalanche by necessity. So it's a deliberate thing....adding more and more and more. There HAVE been times when a lot of them were unsealed and we'd see things in the news. Sex traffickers, academic scandals, etc.
There was a study done about a decade ago and in any given year we were averaging apx 1,000 sealed indictments nationwide. No doubt that number has increased to the same degree the US population has increased, but not anywhere near this number. There would have only been less than 10K piled up even if they had doubled in a decade.
They are undoubtedly significant cases, not trivial (like shoplifting).
More on "sealed" indictments:
A sealed indictment an indictment that is sealed so that it stays non-public until it is unsealed. This can be done for a number of reasons. It may be unsealed, for example, once the named person is arrested.
The following is an example of a federal rule dealing with sealed indictments:
The magistrate judge to whom an indictment is returned may direct that the indictment be kept secret until the defendant is in custody or has been released pending trial. The clerk must then seal the indictment, and no person may disclose the indictment’s existence except as necessary to issue or execute a warrant or summons.
Thank you Rubieroo, that’s a fantastic explanation.
One further question: If you were a known public figure ( OJ ) or ( Weinstein ) in the US system you can filter a jury to make it more favourable ( not doable in English System) you get your 12 and takes your chance.
If these sealed indictments were all public figures ( a local mayor , sports coach or celebrity) would the jury filtering have to take place or is this why the military tribunal system is being touted to bring swift justice? ( Asking for a Friend - Prince Andrew?)
Can you just clarify as this is an area where US/UK use slightly different terminology.
Is a sealed indictment a charge sheet that has been approved for prosecution?
Has it then been served on the party to be prosecuted?
If the amount is growing by the month is this a backlog? Or are these complex cases ( like Maxwell) beyond shoplifting and minor felonies?
Yes - Huber was tasked with processing a lot of these. Grand juries and all. As to it being served - it is sealed and secret. It MAY have been served but this is actually how mob/mafia are brought down as well - it's processed without them knowing. Here's the definition:
To be clear, these are sealed CASES. We have a bit of backchannel info pointing to the fact that they are ALL likely indictments, but for now they are not categorized on purpose.
Not a backlog per se - again as Q indicated these things are going down in a bit of an avalanche by necessity. So it's a deliberate thing....adding more and more and more. There HAVE been times when a lot of them were unsealed and we'd see things in the news. Sex traffickers, academic scandals, etc.
There was a study done about a decade ago and in any given year we were averaging apx 1,000 sealed indictments nationwide. No doubt that number has increased to the same degree the US population has increased, but not anywhere near this number. There would have only been less than 10K piled up even if they had doubled in a decade.
They are undoubtedly significant cases, not trivial (like shoplifting).
More on "sealed" indictments:
Thank you Rubieroo, that’s a fantastic explanation.
One further question: If you were a known public figure ( OJ ) or ( Weinstein ) in the US system you can filter a jury to make it more favourable ( not doable in English System) you get your 12 and takes your chance.
If these sealed indictments were all public figures ( a local mayor , sports coach or celebrity) would the jury filtering have to take place or is this why the military tribunal system is being touted to bring swift justice? ( Asking for a Friend - Prince Andrew?)
Thanks!
No problemo!