§ 132.400 Indorsement of indictment as “a true bill”

When a grand jury decides there's enough evidence to charge someone with a crime, they don't just say so out loud. The foreman, who is the person leading the grand jury, has to write the words "a true bill" on the indictment and sign it. This written mark is what officially shows the grand jury agreed to bring the charge.

This step matters because it creates a clear record that the grand jury actually approved the indictment. Without this signed statement, there's no proof the group reviewed the case and decided the charges should move forward. It's a simple but necessary formality that makes the indictment valid and ready to be filed with the court.