A Look into the Role of a Grand Jury

How a Grand Jury is Selected

A grand jury is typically composed of 23 people who are selected from a pool of prospective jurors. The clerk of the court sends each prospective juror a questionnaire to determine their eligibility. The questionnaire asks about the juror's age, occupation, education, and criminal history. The clerk also asks the juror if they have any biases or prejudices that would prevent them from being fair and impartial.

The Function of a Grand Jury

The function of a grand jury is to hear evidence and determine whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed. A grand jury does not determine guilt or innocence. If the grand jury finds that there is probable cause, it will issue an indictment, which is a formal accusation of a crime. The indictment is then filed with the court.

Grand juries are an important part of the criminal justice system. They help to ensure that only those who are accused of a crime are brought to trial. Grand juries also help to protect the rights of the accused by ensuring that they are not subjected to unnecessary prosecution.

Conclusion

Grand juries play a vital role in the criminal justice system. They help to ensure that only those who are accused of a crime are brought to trial and that the rights of the accused are protected.