A Grand Jury is a group of individuals that determines if there is cause to issue a felony charge or charges against the subject of the Grand Jury. The group will be shown evidence by the prosecutors in order to determine if the charge or charges are warranted. If the group decides that the evidence indicates the subject committed a felony or felonies, a formal charge will be submitted by the group. This formal charge by a Grand Jury is called an indictment.
Grand Jury Facts
A Grand Jury uses random citizens in the same fashion as jury duty.
A Grand Jury must be used to issue federal felony charges.
States do not have to use a Grand Jury to issue a felony charge.
The size of the Grand Jury can vary.
About the Author
Peter Sandru is an Instructor & Co-Founder of NDIL with over 15 years as a Professional Investigator. Peter has spent more than a decade conducting investigations throughout the world, primarily for corporations, law firms, and government agencies. Peter has assisted in the creation of many investigative training programs in various capacities.