Barebones Indictment Law and Legal Definition
Barebones indictment refers to an indictment that cites only the language of the statute allegedly violated. It is also an indictment which does not provide a factual statement. Statutory language is quite commonly used in barebones indictment. It is also entirely permissible so long as the statute sets forth fully, directly, and expressly all essential elements of the crime intended to be punished. In United States v. Kennon, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 30801 (W.D.N.C. Mar. 24, 2009), it was held that where the government seeks joinder of counts on the basis of same or similar character, it crafts a barebones indictment at its own risk.
