What is the purpose of a grand jury?

A grand jury is a group of citizens who are selected to determine if there is enough evidence to charge a person with a crime and bring them to trial. The purpose of a grand jury is to investigate crimes, examine evidence, and determine whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed.

The grand jury process is different from a trial jury. A trial jury is responsible for deciding whether a person is guilty or not guilty of a crime. The grand jury, on the other hand, does not decide guilt or innocence, but rather whether there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime. If the grand jury decides that there is enough evidence, they will issue an indictment, which is a formal accusation that a person has committed a crime.

Grand juries are used in the United States federal court system and many state court systems. They are typically composed of 16-23 people who are selected from the community and serve for a period of several months to a year. Grand jury proceedings are usually conducted in secret, and witnesses may be called to testify under oath.