Table of Contents
What cases does a grand jury hear?
A grand jury is set up by a prosecutor to determine whether there is enough evidence to pursue a prosecution. In legal terms, it determines whether probable cause exists to believe a crime has been committed. In order to come to this conclusion, the jury is given investigative powers.
Do grand juries hear multiple cases?
Grand juries hear cases from prosecutors all day long, and all different types of criminal cases.
What is a grand jury used for?
The grand jury’s function is to decide whether there is “probable cause” or “prima facie evidence” to believe that a person has committed a crime.
What does it mean when a case goes to grand jury?
A grand jury is a jury—a group of citizens—empowered by law to conduct legal proceedings, investigate potential criminal conduct, and determine whether criminal charges should be brought. A grand jury may subpoena physical evidence or a person to testify.
Do all cases go before a grand jury?
In some states, all felony charges must go before a grand jury. But in others, the prosecutor might have a choice between presenting the case to a grand jury or going before a judge in a preliminary hearing.
How often does a grand jury hearing occur?
Typically, this type of hearing occurs for serious felony charges. The cases usually last for months at a time. However, they tend to only last for a few days each month. In many cases, the court chooses not to use a grand jury hearing. Instead, the court uses a preliminary hearing.
How does a grand jury work in a criminal case?
Grand Jury A grand jury is presented with evidence from the U.S. attorney, the prosecutor in federal criminal cases. The grand jury determines whether there is “probable cause” to believe the individual has committed a crime and should be put on trial.
How are grand jurors selected in the United States?
Federal law requires that a grand jury be selected at random from a fair cross section of the community in the district or division in which the federal grand jury convenes. Thus, all citizens have an equal opportunity and obligation to serve.
What are the different types of trial juries?
Types of Juries. There are two types of juries serving different functions in the federal trial courts: trial juries, also known as petit juries, and grand juries. A trial jury, also known as a petit jury, decides whether the defendant committed the crime as charged in a criminal case, or whether the defendant injured the plaintiff in a civil case.