What is the purpose of a criminal grand jury?

A criminal grand jury is a legal tool used in Montana for the purpose of determining whether or not criminal charges should be brought against a person or persons accused of a crime. The criminal grand jury is composed of citizens of the state who are selected by the district court to hear evidence presented by the prosecution and then to decide whether or not the evidence is sufficient to show that a crime has been committed. The purpose of a criminal grand jury is to serve as a check against the government’s prosecutorial power. By requiring that the government present evidence to these citizens to review, the criminal grand jury ensures that the government is not overreach its power and charge someone with a crime without sufficient evidence to support the charge. It also serves to provide a second layer of review of the charges against an accused person, allowing citizens to decide whether or not the evidence is strong enough to bring charges. In addition to determining whether or not to bring criminal charges, a criminal grand jury also serves to protect the rights of individuals by preventing wrongful or malicious prosecution and by ensuring that only those charges that are supported by legal evidence are filed. Finally, the criminal grand jury also helps to ensure the integrity of the criminal justice system by scrutinizing the evidence presented to it and making sure that the prosecution has met the required burden of proof before charges are brought against a person. By acting as a watchdog against improper or excessive prosecution, the criminal grand jury helps to guarantee that the rights of everyone throughout the justice system are respected.

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What is the purpose of a criminal grand jury?

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