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

The role of the grand jury in criminal cases in Oregon is to evaluate evidence presented by the prosecution. The purpose of the grand jury is to determine whether there is enough evidence to charge a suspect with a crime. The grand jury consists of seven to twelve people who listen to evidence presented by the prosecution and decide whether there is probably cause to charge the suspect with the crime. The grand jury does not decide if the suspect is guilty or not; that is left to the court. The grand jury also can issue subpoenas to witnesses and documents and ask questions of witnesses who appear before it. A grand jury hearing is closed to the public and the suspect does not have any legal representation. In the end, the grand jury will come to a decision of whether to indict or not indict the suspect. If the grand jury decides not to indict the suspect, then the charges are often dropped. If the grand jury decides to indict the suspect, then the case will move to a criminal court where the suspect will be tried for the charges. It is important to remember that the grand jury does not decide guilt or innocence. That is left up to the criminal court.

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

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