A grand jury is a legal body which has the power to conduct official proceedings to investigate possible criminal conduct. They also decide whether criminal charges should be brought. A grand jury may subpoena evidence and may compel the sworn testimony of witnesses who appear before it. Grand juries are made up of from 16 to 23 people in the United States. They meet for a period of one month up to a year. However, jurors may only have to meet for a few days each month. The juries meet in private. The suspected person, called a suspect, is not usually present. About half the states in the US do not regularly use grand juries. A preliminary hearing may be used instead. The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution requires the use of grand juries by the federal legal system for all capital and "infamous crimes" (cases involving treason, certain felonies or gross moral turpitude).
Grand jury
Questions and Answers
Q: What is a grand jury?
A: A grand jury is a legal body that investigates possible criminal conduct and decides whether criminal charges should be brought.
Q: How many people are typically on a grand jury in the United States?
A: Grand juries are typically made up of 16 to 23 people in the United States.
Q: What is the role of a grand jury in subpoenaing evidence?
A: A grand jury has the power to subpoena evidence.
Q: Can a grand jury compel witnesses to testify?
A: Yes, a grand jury may compel the sworn testimony of witnesses who appear before it.
Q: Do grand juries meet in public or private?
A: Grand juries meet in private.
Q: Are suspects usually present during grand jury proceedings?
A: No, the suspected person, called a suspect, is not usually present during grand jury proceedings.
Q: Does every state in the United States use grand juries regularly?
A: No, about half the states in the US do not regularly use grand juries. A preliminary hearing may be used instead.