The Grand Jury and Its Proceedings
Introduction
A grand jury is a body consisting of not less than 16 nor more than 23 persons who are sworn to investigate potential criminal charges and to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the person being investigated should be indicted.
Procedure
In New York State, the grand jury is composed of 23 people who are randomly selected from a pool of potential jurors. The grand jury is presided over by a judge who instructs the jurors on the law and evidence that they will be hearing. The prosecutor presents evidence to the grand jury, and the jurors can question witnesses and ask for additional evidence. The grand jury meets in secret, and its deliberations are not public.
Conclusion
The grand jury is an important part of the criminal justice system. It serves as a check on the power of the prosecutor and ensures that people are not charged with crimes unless there is probable cause to believe that they have committed a crime. The grand jury process is complex and can be confusing, but it is an essential part of our system of justice.
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