true bill

American  

noun

1. a bill of indictment endorsed by a grand jury as being sufficiently supported by evidence to justify a hearing of the case.

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true bill British  

noun

1. criminal law (formerly in Britain; now only US) the endorsement made on a bill of indictment by a grand jury certifying it to be supported by sufficient evidence to warrant committing the accused to trial

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Etymology

Origin of true bill

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis wrote an internal message Monday informing the department that the grand jury did not return a true bill of indictment in Shifflett’s case.

From Washington Post • Apr. 18, 2023

Russell Heard’s family and friends are understandably puzzled, upset and angry over the no true bill returned by the grand jury.

From Washington Times • Apr. 28, 2021

On Thursday, a Caddo Parish grand jury returned a no true bill against Mystikal, whose real name is Michael Lawrence Tyler, news outlets reported.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 18, 2020

In New York state, a grand jury returns a true bill of indictment if a bare majority — 12 of the 23 sitting jurors — believes there’s enough evidence to proceed to a criminal trial.

From The Verge • Mar. 13, 2019

"But I say, Mrs Everett, if this breach of promise case is a true bill, it's a straw to show which way the wind might have blown,—at least."

From In the Onyx Lobby by Wells, Carolyn