What is the difference between a grand jury and a petit jury?

A grand jury and a petit jury have different roles in the criminal justice system. In the state of Massachusetts, a grand jury is a group of sixteen to twenty-three citizens who review evidence presented by the prosecutor and decide whether or not to indict (charge) a suspect in a criminal case. The grand jury does not decide guilt or innocence, but rather decides whether the charges should be formally brought against the suspect. A petit jury, also known as a trial jury, is a group of twelve citizens selected from the community who hear evidence presented by both sides of a criminal case and make a decision about the guilt or innocence of the suspect. In Massachusetts, in order to indict a suspect, a two-thirds majority of the grand jury members must agree that a crime was likely committed by the suspect. The petit jury has to be unanimous in their decision to convict or acquit the suspect. In Massachusetts, if the grand jury does not return an indictment, the suspect is discharged without ever having gone to trial. In conclusion, a grand jury in Massachusetts is responsible for determining if charges should be formally brought against a suspect, while a petit jury hears evidence presented by both sides of a criminal case and makes a decision about the guilt or innocence of the suspect.

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What is the difference between a grand jury and a petit jury?

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