What is a federal grand jury?

A federal grand jury in Florida is a group of people appointed by a court to hear government evidence in a criminal case. It is made up of at least sixteen but not more than twenty-three people. A grand jury has the authority to examine witnesses, review documents, and determine whether there is enough evidence to bring charges against a suspect in a federal crime. The grand jury has the power to issue an indictment, or formal accusation, against a person suspected of breaking federal criminal law. The main purpose of a federal grand jury is to determine whether or not there is enough evidence to bring someone to trial. Unlike a trial jury, which hears testimony from both sides and decides the verdict, a grand jury only hears the government’s evidence and decides whether or not to indict a suspect. All of the proceedings of a grand jury are confidential. The grand jury process helps to protect people from unfounded criminal charges. It is an important part of the criminal justice system in Florida, and serves to uphold the rule of law in the state. If the grand jury finds sufficient evidence against a suspect, they will issue an indictment and the person will be tried for their alleged crime in a court of law.

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