Can a grand jury make an indictment without the accused being aware that there is a case against him? Does the accused have to be notified that a case against him is going to a grand jury - especially if there has been no arrest? Finally, is the grand jury docket available to the public?
2007-02-03 02:43:12 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yes, they can. An indictment just a group of citizens reviewing the states evidence to see if there enough evidence for it to go to trial. They are also confidential, and not even the accused gets to know who is on the grand jury when they are indicted. The docket is not available to the public, but the result will be made public. Basically it will read that "so and so was indicted on whatever charges".
2007-02-03 04:06:46 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One major function of the grand jury is to allow prosecutors to investigate suspected criminal activity without involving the target of the investigation. Only once the grand jury votes to indict someone is that person made aware of the charges against him/her.
2007-02-03 03:53:41 · answer #2 · answered by melir23 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes they can make an indictment and grand jury hearings are secret.
2007-02-03 02:45:45 · answer #3 · answered by 007 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋