Last Updated on November 29, 2022 by Lily Connel
Grand juries may consist of 12-23 jurors. The grand jury does not have to include a member of any demographic group whose members might be systematically excluded from grand juries. In some jurisdictions, grand juries are composed of a number of people less than 23, but at least 12. On of other hands, For grand juries, at least one-third of the jury pool must be African American or Latino.
The grand jury is a legal body that decides whether there is enough evidence for someone to be charged with a crime. A grand jury consists of between 16 and 23 people (the grand jury pool) who decide if there is enough proof that an individual should be accused of criminal activity. Grand juries convene on a regular basis, usually every week. The grand jury doesn’t determine guilt or innocence, but whether there is evidence for a criminal trial.
Pros and Cons Of The Grand Jury System – The Differences
| Serial | Pros Of The Grand Jury System | Cons Of The Grand Jury System |
| 1. | The grand jury is a legal body that decides whether or not there is enough evidence and/or probable cause to charge someone with a crime. | The person accused does not have an attorney present. An attorney is only allowed to answer questions from the prosecution and grand jury members if they’re called upon. |
| 2. | If grand jurors decide there’s enough evidence, they will issue an indictment a formal criminal charge. If the grand jury doesn’t indict, it will issue what’s called a “no bill.” | If a witness does not want to testify, they’re required to do so. No one may be excused because of their Fifth Amendment rights or because it could incriminate them, as that would violate the Sixth Amendment right of the accused. |
| 3. | It can’t determine whether or not someone is guilty. Only a trial by jury or the court, if there’s enough evidence can determine guilt. | A grand jury does not have to release a reason for their indictment. No one is allowed to know why they were indicted, which prevents anyone from challenging the indictment in court. This also means that members of a grand jury cannot be prosecuted if it turns out there’s insufficient evidence to support an indictment. |
| 4. | This convenes to hearing evidence presented by prosecutors, who are lawyers for the government. The grand jury cannot compel witnesses to testify before them, but they can subpoena people to appear. It can also subpoena documents, physical evidence, pictures, etc. | Members of a grand jury must be citizens of the state where they’re serving and meet federal requirements for being a grand jury. The members cannot possess any felony convictions or have been judged as not mentally fit to serve on a grand jury. |
| 5. | It doesn’t indict people on just any type of charge—they have to determine what kind of crime was committed before they issue an indictment. States have grand juries too. | If a member of a grand jury does not agree with the majority, nothing can be done about it. Once the decision has been reached, it must be followed. This means no dissenting opinions or minutes can be recorded. |
| 6. | There are some exceptions to grand juries’ confidentiality. Grand jury proceedings have to be reported by the media if grand jurors vote to charge someone with a major crime, such as murder or kidnapping. | The members of a grand jury may ask questions and the prosecution is required to answer them all. However, witnesses are not required to answer any question that might incriminate them, even if they’re asked by a grand juror and not the prosecution. |
| 7. | Its proceedings are usually secret. Only witnesses who testify before the grand jury are allowed to disclose what went on. The grand jury decides whether or not there is enough evidence of a crime to warrant a trial. This means that grand juries don’t convict people, they only decide whether or not there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial. | A grand jury decision cannot be appealed. Even if new evidence is found that wasn’t available during the initial hearing, no appeal can be made. Once a decision has been reached, it’s final. |
| 8. | Grand juries are made up of citizens from the relevant jurisdiction usually a county or district who have been called for jury service. They do not have to be unanimous in order to indict. A grand jury consists of between 16 to 23 people, depending on the court. | Grand jury proceedings are supposed to be secret; however, witnesses may discuss what happened after they’ve testified without fear of prosecution. |
| 9. | The grand jury system is set up so that grand jurors are presented with evidence by a prosecutor who works for the government. The grand jury’s job is not to determine guilt or innocence that’s part of any criminal trial after an indictment has been issued. | |
| 10. | These are often set up to investigate potential crimes, infractions, or misconduct by elected officials, civil servants, judges, and similar people. | |
| 11. | It can subpoena witnesses to testify before them and order the presentation of documents, physical evidence, pictures, etc. | |
| 12. | The grand jury’s proceedings are usually secret. Only witnesses who testify before the grand jury are allowed to disclose what went on. The grand jury decides whether or not there is enough evidence of a crime to warrant a trial. This means that grand juries don’t convict people, they only decide whether or not there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial. | |
| 13. | There are some exceptions to grand juries’ confidentiality. Grand jury proceedings have to be reported by the media if grand jurors vote to charge someone with a major crime, such as murder or kidnapping. |
All You Need To Know About Grand Jury
A grand jury can also be called at any time by the prosecuting attorney in order to make it easier for them to prosecute someone when they want. This allows prosecutors to question witnesses (in front of the grand jury) without having their every action scrutinized by a defence attorney.
A grand jury is a panel of citizens who determine whether or not there is reasonable cause to charge someone with a crime. It indictment does not mean that the defendant has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, which would be required for a conviction. Instead, this may only start prosecution by issuing an indictment. Once an indictment has been issued, it has no further role in the case.
What Is The Problem With The Grand Jury?
The grand jury is an Anglo-American institution that charges crime suspects.
The group of citizens in charge of bringing forth indictments against people suspected by fellow community members has been around since 12th century England when they were first called upon to investigate murders and other crimes committed by royalty or important figures within society, but it was not until 1690s Maryland adopted this same practice for all trials under the law – setting ground rules on how U.S citizenry is supposed to try their own killers today!
Conclusion
A grand jury is a group that decides whether or not to indict someone on charges. This means when they believe there’s enough evidence, that person will be tried in court and found guilty by Jury/Ireland (largely made up of laypeople).
The concept behind “grand juries” all around the world operate differently but what they have in common: is that citizens participate with police affidavits during investigations into crimes; examining these against any suspects charged through formal statements given at an inquiry hearing before deciding if further proceedings should ensue–in essence serving as mini-trials determining guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
