[Idiom] Hand Up/Down

[ShirleyLing]

"The grand jury handed down/up an indictment."

Could "hand down" and "hand up" be used interchangeably in this context?

 

[billmcd]

"The grand jury handed down/up an indictment."

Could "hand down" and "hand up" be used interchangeably in this context?

No. At least, not in AmE. It would be "handed down".

 

[riquecohen]

"The grand jury handed down/up an indictment."

Could "hand down" and "hand up" be used interchangeably in this context?

No.
The grand jury hands up an indictment. It also can return or issue an indictment. A decision however, is handed down by a judge. Look here. The Scriptorium: Court News - Hand Up or Down Indictment?

 

[ShirleyLing]

impeccable research!

 

[billmcd]

No.
The grand jury hands up an indictment. It also can return or issue an indictment. A decision however, is handed down by a judge. Look here. The Scriptorium: Court News - Hand Up or Down Indictment?

Well, I think I must resort to my seldom used, but convenient, "popular usage rules" defense in that, to the best of my recollection (sometimes a little fuzzy), I have never seen the phrase "handed up" used in reference to an indictment. You will find numerous real cases that have used "handed down" in reference to indictments if you would Google the term.

 

[riquecohen]

Well, I think I must resort to my seldom used, but convenient, "popular usage rules" defense in that, to the best of my recollection (sometimes a little fuzzy), I have never seen the phrase "handed up" used in reference to an indictment. You will find numerous real cases that have used "handed down" in reference to indictments if you would Google the term.

I think that your "popular usage rule" serves you well in this situation. I, too, have heard it both ways and was somewhat uncertain before I researched it. Although I've served on two Federal grand juries, the only thing I'm certain of is the use of return and issue.