The Role of Grand Juries in Criminal Justice
What is a Grand Jury?
A grand jury is a legal body comprised of laypeople that determines whether there is enough evidence to indict a person for a crime. It is an important part of the criminal justice system in the United States, and helps to ensure that only people who have committed crimes are brought to trial.
How Does a Grand Jury Work?
A grand jury is typically made up of 12 to 23 people, who are selected randomly from the community. They are tasked with hearing evidence presented by the prosecution and deciding whether or not to issue an indictment. An indictment is a formal accusation that a person has committed a crime, and it is required before a trial can begin.
The proceedings of a grand jury are secret, and the jurors are not allowed to discuss the case with anyone outside of the courtroom. This is to protect the integrity of the investigation and to prevent potential witnesses from being intimidated or tampered with.
The Importance of Grand Juries
Grand juries play an important role in the criminal justice system by ensuring that only people who have committed crimes are brought to trial. They also help to protect the rights of the accused by providing a buffer between the prosecution and the public.
In recent years, there has been some debate about the role of grand juries in the criminal justice system. Some critics argue that grand juries are too secretive and that they give too much power to the prosecution. However, supporters of grand juries argue that they are an important part of the system and that they help to ensure that justice is served.
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