Indictment vs. Trial Jury: The Role of Grand Juries in Federal Criminal Cases
Introduction
When someone is suspected of committing a federal crime, the U.S. Department of Justice must determine whether to charge them with a crime.
Grand Jury Indictment
The first step in this process is a grand jury indictment, which is a formal charging instrument used by the Justice Department to bring criminal charges. A grand jury is typically made up of 23 citizens who are selected at random. They hear evidence from the prosecution and decide whether there is probable cause to believe that the suspect committed a crime. If the grand jury votes to indict the suspect, they will issue an indictment, which is a written document that outlines the charges against the suspect.
Trial Jury
If the suspect is indicted, they will then face a trial before a trial jury. A trial jury is typically made up of 12 citizens who are selected at random. They hear evidence from both the prosecution and the defense and decide whether the suspect is guilty or innocent of the charges against them.
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