Grand Jury Duty

What is a Grand Jury?

Introduction

A grand jury is a legal body comprised of laypeople that determines whether there is enough evidence to indict someone for a felony. Indictments bring formal charges for felony cases. They're followed by an arraignment for the criminal charges.

Function of a Grand Jury

While grand juries are sometimes described as performing accusatory and investigatory functions, the grand jury's principal function is to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the accused person committed it.

Grand juries are not trials. They do not determine guilt or innocence. Instead, they decide whether there is enough evidence to support the charges against the accused person.

Selection of Grand Jurors

Grand jurors are selected from a pool of registered voters in the jurisdiction where the grand jury is convened. They are typically chosen randomly and must meet certain qualifications, such as being at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of the jurisdiction.

Proceedings of a Grand Jury

Grand jury proceedings are typically secret. The grand jury hears evidence from witnesses and examines documents presented by the prosecutor. The grand jury then votes on whether to indict the accused person. An indictment requires a majority vote of the grand jurors.

Conclusion

Grand juries play an important role in the criminal justice system. They help to ensure that people are not charged with crimes unless there is sufficient evidence to support the charges. Grand juries are also a check on the power of prosecutors. They can prevent prosecutors from bringing charges against people without a solid basis for doing so.