What is a federal grand jury?

A federal grand jury is a tool used by the federal government to investigate and prosecute alleged criminal activity. The grand jury is composed of a small group of citizens chosen randomly to serve for a period of 18 months. The purpose of the grand jury is to consider evidence presented by federal prosecutors and decide whether or not there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed and that the accused person committed it. In New York, a grand jury is normally made up of 23 individuals chosen from the general public. The federal prosecutor presents evidence to the jury, which then independently decides if there is enough evidence to charge the accused with a crime. If the majority of the jurors vote in favor of a true bill, they are presented with an indictment. The grand jury can also decline to indict if they find that there is not enough evidence. After an indictment is issued, the case is sent to a criminal court, which decides if the accused person is guilty or innocent. The role of the federal grand jury is critical in the criminal justice system because it ensures that only the most serious crimes are brought to court. It is also seen as a safeguard against government abuse of power by requiring that all criminal allegations be proven by evidence before they are brought to trial.

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What is a federal grand jury?

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