Also known as: ignoramuses · no bill · we do not know
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A notation formerly endorsed by a grand jury on a bill of indictment to signify rejection of the proposed charges. The endorsement indicated that the grand jury found insufficient grounds to proceed. The accused was then discharged without further answer or trial.
Imani Idowu faces a proposed indictment after a legislative dispute. The grand jury reviews the evidence in secret session. Upon finding the accusations groundless, the jurors endorse the bill ignoramus. Imani is released immediately without any further proceedings.
Iris Irons sues the city after street repairs damage her property. Prosecutors present a proposed indictment alleging a constitutional violation by state actors. The grand jury determines the evidence fails to support the charge. It returns the bill marked ignoramus, freeing the city officials from prosecution.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Ismael Ibrahim is arrested after officers find contraband during a street encounter. Prosecutors seek an indictment based on the seized evidence. The grand jury concludes the stop lacked adequate justification. It endorses the bill ignoramus and discharges Ismael without trial.
India Inoue is charged with a drug offense carrying an enhanced penalty based on judicial fact-finding. Prosecutors submit a bill seeking the higher sentence range. The grand jury finds the supporting facts insufficient. It marks the bill ignoramus, limiting any potential conviction to the base offense.
Ivy Ibarra delivers a heated address at a public rally that draws complaints. Prosecutors present a bill alleging breach of the peace. The grand jury determines the speech falls within protected expression. It endorses the bill ignoramus and frees Ivy without further action.
Iain Irons suffers a seizure while driving and causes an accident. Prosecutors seek an indictment for reckless driving based on the incident. The grand jury concludes the conduct was not voluntary. It returns the bill marked ignoramus, ending the prosecution.
An ignoramus endorsement means the grand jury found the evidence insufficient to support the proposed charges. The accused is discharged without being held for trial. No further answer or proceeding follows from that bill.
A true bill indicates the grand jury found probable cause to support the charges and returns an indictment. Ignoramus signals rejection of the bill. The two outcomes determine whether prosecution proceeds or ends at the grand jury stage.
Modern grand juries typically return a no bill or not a true bill rather than the Latin term. The underlying function remains identical. The endorsement still discharges the accused when the grand jury finds the evidence inadequate.
A majority of grand jurors must decline to indict. In the federal system twelve affirmative votes are needed for a true bill out of at least sixteen members. Failure to reach that threshold produces an ignoramus or no bill result.
…out of a bitter power dispute between the President and the Legislative Branch. Mr. Olson may or may not be guilty of a crime; we do not know. But we do know that the investigation of him has been commenced, not necessarily because the President or his authorized subordinates believe it is in the interest of the United States, in…