What is the purpose of a grand jury indictment?

The purpose of a grand jury indictment in Maryland is to determine whether there is enough evidence to prosecute a person for a particular crime. Grand juries are composed of citizens who are randomly selected, and they hear evidence presented by the prosecutor to decide whether to issue an indictment. An indictment is a formal accusation by the grand jury that the person committed a crime. The indictment will list the charges against the accused and provide the elements of each charge. It must be found that the crimes were committed beyond a reasonable doubt before an indictment can be issued. Once the indictment is issued, it will be filed with the court and the accused will be given a date to appear for trial. The purpose of a grand jury indictment is to ensure that no one is tried and convicted without proper cause. It keeps the prosecutor from having too much power over the accused and ensures that the defendant receives a fair trial. It also gives the accused a chance to present evidence and testimony in their own defense. By having a grand jury review the evidence, it can be determined if there is sufficient credibility and evidence to move forward with a trial.

Related FAQs

What is the purpose of an insanity defense?
What is the process of a criminal trial?
What is the process of plea-bargaining in criminal cases?
What are the constitutional rights of an accused person?
What is the difference between a direct and an indirect concurrent sentence?
What is the process of police investigations in criminal cases?
What is the purpose of a motion to dismiss in criminal cases?
What is the difference between a summary offense and an indictable offense?
What is the impact of the Sixth Amendment on criminal cases?
What is the concept of criminal responsibility?

What is the purpose of a grand jury indictment?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts