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In many common law jurisdictions
(e.g. Great Britain, Canada), an indictable offence is
an offence which can only be tried on an indictment after a preliminary
hearing or by a grand jury. In trials for indictable offences, the accused
normally has the right to a jury trial, unless they waive that right. Compare
summary offence. In the United States, a crime of similar severity is usually
referred to as a felony although it too proceeds after an indictment.
In English law it is usual to use the term for those crimes
the trial of which may be begun by an indictment. Offences for which an
indictment is required are called 'indictable only'.
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