Indictment by Grand Jury: A Primer
Understanding the Power of a Grand Jury
A grand jury indictment is a formal charging instrument used by the United States federal government and many state governments. It is the result of a secret proceeding in which a group of citizens, known as grand jurors, hear evidence presented by a prosecutor and determine whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed.
The Grand Jury Process
Grand juries are typically composed of 16 to 23 people who are selected from the community. The prosecutor presents evidence to the grand jury, including witness testimony, physical evidence, and documents. The grand jury hears the evidence in secret and deliberates privately. If the grand jury finds that there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed, it will issue an indictment, which is a formal charge against the accused.
The Power of an Indictment
An indictment is a significant step in the criminal justice process. It is not a finding of guilt, but it does trigger a number of legal consequences. The accused will be arrested and brought to court for an arraignment, where they will be formally charged with the crime. The accused will then have the opportunity to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If the accused pleads not guilty, the case will proceed to trial.
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