What is the role of the grand jury in criminal cases?

The grand jury is a type of jury that is used in criminal proceedings in Delaware. Its role is to decide whether there is enough evidence to indict a person and bring them to trial. In Delaware, a grand jury may be used when a defendant is charged with a felony, which is any crime that is punishable by at least one year in prison. The grand jury is comprised of at least twelve citizens who hear evidence from the prosecution and decide whether there is enough evidence to bring the case to trial. If the jury finds that there is sufficient evidence, an indictment is issued and the case will be heard in the Delaware Superior Court. The grand jury is a critical component of the criminal justice system as it helps to prevent wrongful convictions and ensure that trials are based only on solid evidence. It also helps to protect the accused’s right to a fair trial by ensuring that evidence is handled properly and that no irrelevant or prejudicial information is taken into account. By serving on a grand jury, citizens of Delaware play a role in helping to determine if there is enough evidence to bring someone to trial. This is an important part of the criminal justice system as it helps to ensure justice is served and innocent people are not wrongfully convicted.

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