Grand Juries: An Overview
What is a Grand Jury?
A grand jury is a legal body composed of ordinary citizens (laypeople) that investigates criminal allegations and determines whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a criminal prosecution. They are distinct from regular trial juries, which determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant in a criminal trial.
Function of a Grand Jury
The primary function of a grand jury is to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the accused person committed it. They review evidence, hear testimony from witnesses, and issue indictments if they believe there is enough evidence to support criminal charges.
Composition and Selection
Grand juries typically consist of 16 to 23 people in the federal system and vary in size in different states. Jurors are selected randomly from a pool of qualified citizens and serve for up to 18 months, although they can serve up to 24 months in certain cases.
Process for Initiating a Criminal Case
In the federal system and some states, prosecutors can initiate a criminal case against someone by presenting the evidence to a grand jury. If the grand jury votes to indict the person, they will be required to stand trial before a regular trial jury to determine their guilt or innocence.
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