What is a federal grand jury?

A federal grand jury is a group of individuals who are sworn in to investigate criminal activity. They are tasked with collecting evidence and deciding whether to issue an indictment for federal crimes. In North Carolina, a federal grand jury is composed of 16 to 23 citizens who are randomly selected from the district court for their term of service. The grand juries perform their duties in secret in accordance with the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Usually, a federal prosecutor will present evidence in a private courtroom and will question witnesses and seek indictments in those cases where the prosecutor believes a crime has been committed. The grand jurors are responsible for considering the evidence and deciding whether or not an indictment should be issued. A federal grand jury has the power to subpoena witnesses to appear before the jury and documents related to the investigation. Grand jurors may also take testimony from witnesses and review evidence, including physical evidence or documents. A federal grand jury has the power to issue an indictment, which is a formal charge of criminal activity. An indictment is not a conviction, since a trial must be held before guilt can be determined. However, an indictment is an important step in the criminal justice process and allows for a potential trial to take place.

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What is a federal grand jury?

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