Presentments

Presentments is a legal term with historical and contemporary uses in common law jurisdictions. In its core sense, a presentment is a formal presentation or report to a court by a grand jury or other examining body that a crime or wrongdoing has occurred. A presentment may take the form of a written document or a formal statement outlining alleged offenses, sometimes accompanied by recommendations for further action. In some traditions, a presentment is distinct from an indictment; it represents an initial finding or accusation that can lead to later formal charges, such as an indictment, information, or other prosecutorial steps.

Historically, presentments arose in medieval and early modern England as a means for local juries (such as juries of presentment in counties or hundred courts) to report offenses to magistrates. Over time, many jurisdictions shifted toward the modern prosecutorial framework in which a grand jury enacts indictments after deliberation and evidence review. In contemporary practice, presentments are less common in many places, having largely been superseded by indictments or informations. However, some jurisdictions retain the option of a grand jury issuing a presentment for local offenses or for reporting on matters of public administration, governance, or investigation.

In practice, a presentment can serve as a factual or accusatory document that prompts court action, investigation, or policy attention. The exact form, effect, and status of presentments vary by jurisdiction, and in many systems they are historical or symbolic rather than governing procedures. Presentments should not be confused with indictments, though they may be related steps in the process of charging a person with a crime.