What is the term for the written statement returned by the grand jury that contains the essential facts of the offense?

The term for the written statement returned by the grand jury that outlines the essential facts of the offense is known as an indictment. An indictment is a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime, and it is typically issued after the grand jury reviews evidence presented by the prosecution. The grand jury's role is to determine whether there is enough evidence to establish probable cause that a crime has been committed, and if so, they issue this document to initiate criminal proceedings against the accused.

In contrast, a bill of information is a similar document that is filed by a prosecutor without the grand jury's involvement, often used in jurisdictions that allow this process. A verdict refers to the decision made by a jury regarding the guilt or innocence of a defendant after a trial, and a warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing the law enforcement to make an arrest, search premises, or seize property. Each of these terms has distinct meanings and applications in the legal system, but the indictment specifically serves the purpose of formally charging a defendant based on the findings of a grand jury.