What is a grand jury?

Question

Who makes up a grand jury and why would a case be presented to them instead of the everyday jury?

Answer 1

The grand jury is composed of a cross section of the population like a regular jury. Their function is primarily to determine if probably cause exists to charge someone with a crime. Grand Juries are not required in many states where a judge determines probable cause.

Answer 2

A grand jury is used -- at the federal level and in many states -- as a way to determine IF someone should be tried for a crime. The prosecutor presents the evidence, and the grand jury returns an indictment for the crimes (if any) they believe the person might have committed.

That's just the first step in the process -- if the prosecution goes all the way to a trial, an "everyday jury" would hear all the evidence and determine whether the personal actually did it.

Answer 3

The grand jury are everyday people like you and I, called to serve. They will receive a case, read the reports, hear testimony from officers, witnesses, victims, etc, then decide if there is sufficient evidence to bring forth the charge against the defendant.

A regular jury hears the trial and makes the decision as to whether the defendant is Innocent or guilty.