What is the purpose of a criminal grand jury?
A criminal grand jury in Hawaii serves as an investigative body to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that a specific individual should be charged with that crime. In other words, the grand jury is tasked with determining if there is sufficient evidence to bring a criminal charge against a person. The grand jury hears testimony from witnesses and reviews any physical or documentary evidence related to the case. The grand jury is typically composed of 16 to 23 citizens who are charged with determining whether prosecutors have a strong enough case to proceed. If the grand jury decides that the evidence is sufficient, it issues an indictment, or formal charges, that charges a suspect with committing a crime. The prosecutors then take the indictment to court where the case begin. In Hawaii, while the grand jury process is open to the public, a great deal of grand jury proceedings are conducted in secret. This allows grand jurors to review evidence and hear testimony without the suspect being present, allowing them to remain impartial. It also prevents the suspect from learning details of the evidence against him or her. Ultimately, the purpose of a criminal grand jury is to review evidence of a crime and decide whether an indictment is necessary. This ensures that criminal charges are only filed when there is sufficient evidence to do so, protecting the suspect’s rights and ultimately helping to bring justice to those who have been wronged.
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