What is the purpose of a criminal grand jury?

The purpose of a criminal grand jury in Arizona is to investigate potential crimes and to issue criminal indictments for those deemed to be in violation of state laws. A criminal grand jury is comprised of 12 to 23 individuals who are selected by a superior court judge. The grand jury is given the power to investigate the facts and to determine if the evidence is sufficient to pursue criminal charges and if the defendant should be tried for the crimes. The key distinction between a criminal grand jury and a standard trial jury is that the grand jury does not decide the guilt or innocence of an individual, but instead works to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. Once the grand jury has come to the conclusion that there is enough evidence to move forward, they issue an indictment – a formal accusation of criminal activity. If the grand jury decides there is not enough evidence to proceed, the matter is dismissed. The criminal grand jury also plays an important role in the prosecutorial process as it can provide the prosecutor with additional information pertinent to their investigation. Additionally, the grand jury has the authority to ask subpoenas, which require individuals to answer questions or provide documents to the prosecutor or law enforcement. In sum, the purpose of a criminal grand jury in Arizona is to decide whether a case should be taken to criminal trial and to provide the prosecutor with the means to conduct an investigation. It serves as a check to ensure that individuals are not wrongfully accused of a crime and will receive a fair trial.

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What is the purpose of a criminal grand jury?

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