The Grand Jury: An Unseen Power in Criminal Justice

What is a Grand Jury?

A grand jury is a panel of individuals tasked with evaluating accusations and determining whether there is enough evidence to charge a suspect with a crime. Unlike petit juries, which decide the guilt or innocence of a defendant, grand juries do not make findings of fact.

The Role of Grand Juries

The primary role of a grand jury is to determine if there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the suspect is the perpetrator. They also have the power to subpoena witnesses, compel testimony, and examine evidence presented by the prosecution.

Use by Prosecutors

In recent years, prosecutors have increasingly turned to grand juries to investigate and charge complex crimes, such as fraud, racketeering, and public corruption. This is because grand juries provide prosecutors with the authority to gather evidence and compel testimony from witnesses who might be reluctant to cooperate outside of a confidential setting.