When Will You Be Indicted?

A grand jury indictment is the formal start of criminal felony charges in Kentucky. Sometimes indictments happen unexpectedly, but other potential criminal defendants find themselves waiting for the other shoe to drop. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled within 10 days of your arraignment if you are in custody, or 20 days if you are out on bail. After that hearing, the grand jury has 60 days to issue its indictment if you are in jail. On the 61st day you will be released from custody automatically. However, if you are not in jail, there is no limit on how long the grand jury can deliberate.