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

A grand jury and a petit jury are both types of juries in the judicial system. In Washington State, a grand jury is composed of 16-23 individuals and it’s their job to decide if there is sufficient evidence to criminally charge a person with a felony. They review the prosecutor’s evidence and must unanimously agree on whether or not to bring an indictment. A petit jury (or trial jury) is comprised of 6-12 jurors and is responsible for deciding guilt or innocence after a criminal trial. They hear testimony from witnesses, examine evidence presented by both parties, and then issue a verdict. Unlike a grand jury, the decision of the petit jury does not have to be unanimous. In summary, the difference between a grand jury and a petit jury is that a grand jury is used to decide whether to charge someone with a felony, while a petit jury is used to decide guilt or innocence after a trial. Additionally, a grand jury decision must be unanimous, while a petit jury decision does not have to be unanimous.

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

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