Terms Used In Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure 478

  • 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.

Where a judgment or other determination of, or a proceeding before, any court or official, civil or military, is referred to in an indictment, it is unnecessary to allege the facts conferring jurisdiction on the court or official.  It is sufficient to allege generally that the judgment or determination was given or made or the proceeding had, in such manner as identifies the judgment, determination or proceeding.