true bill

noun

1. a bill of indictment endorsed by a grand jury as being sufficiently supported by evidence to justify a hearing of the case.

true bill

noun

1. criminal law (formerly in Britain; now only US) the endorsement made on a bill of indictment by a grand jury certifying it to be supported by sufficient evidence to warrant committing the accused to trial

Word History and Origins

Origin of true bill¹

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

The so-called “true bill” against Kerrick followed a decision by a separate grand jury the week before not to indict him.

From The Daily Beast

The same evidence which had before been given was now repeated, and a true bill was returned.

From Project Gutenberg

If so, then it is probably a lie: if not, then probably it is a true bill.

From Project Gutenberg

But to Mr. Grantley Berkeley, as foreman of the grand jury who found a true bill against me, I beg to draw your attention.

From Project Gutenberg

Therefore Trewlove is certainly an impudent scoundrel, and any grand jury would bring in a true bill against him for a swindler.

From Project Gutenberg

On the following Monday a true bill was returned by the Grand Jury against the seven persons charged with riot.

From Project Gutenberg