An indictment is a formal accusation against an individual who is suspected of committing a serious crime. The indictment is filed after the conclusion of a grand jury investigation. Under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the federal government is required to seek an indictment from a grand jury in order to prosecute an individual for a felony or "otherwise infamous" crime. An indictment comes after a grand jury but typically prior to an arrest. As such, the indictment may be "sealed" for however long is necessary to prevent the defendant or any other suspects from evading justice or destroying evidence.