Terms Used In Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure 469

  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.

It is not necessary to state any venue in the body of the indictment, but the state, parish, or other jurisdiction where the indictment is filed shall be taken to be the venue for the offense charged in the indictment.

The place of the commission of the offense need not be alleged in the indictment unless the place of commission is essential to the offense.  All allegations in the indictment and bill of particulars shall be considered as referring to the same place, unless stated otherwise.