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

The grand jury in Florida is an important tool in the criminal justice system. It is a group of citizens who are called to serve as the “gatekeeper” between the prosecution and the accused. In other words, they decide if there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime and proceed with a trial. The grand jury in Florida is comprised of 12 to 23 citizens who are randomly selected from a pool of qualified individuals. They are tasked with listening to evidence presented by the prosecutors and determining whether there is sufficient evidence to charge a person with a crime and proceed to a trial. If the grand jury finds enough evidence, then they will issue an indictment, which is a formal written accusation that states the defendant committed a crime. The grand jury also plays a critical role in checking the powers of the government and the judiciary to ensure that no person is wrongfully accused and charged with a crime. In addition, they often provide insight and recommendations to improve the criminal justice system. In summary, the grand jury in Florida plays an important role in the criminal justice system. It is comprised of citizens who listen to the evidence presented by the prosecutors and decide whether enough evidence exists to charge someone with a crime and proceed to a trial. They also have an important role in checking the power of the government and judiciary and providing insight into ways to improve the criminal justice system.

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