What are the rules governing federal criminal grand juries?

A federal criminal grand jury is a formal panel of citizens that investigates a potential federal crime and decides whether or not to issue an indictment. The rules governing federal criminal grand juries in New Mexico are largely laid out in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, which the U.S. courts oversee. The grand jury in New Mexico must consist of 16 to 23 people, all of whom must be lawfully present in the U.S. The court selects the jury through a random draw from a jury selection list. All grand jurors must be able to understand English and must be unbiased toward the case. In New Mexico, federal criminal grand juries are presided over by a judge. The grand jury can question witnesses, examine evidence, and take written testimony. Witnesses are sworn in and must answer questions truthfully. A majority of jurors must agree that there is sufficient evidence to establish probable cause that a federal crime has been committed in order for an indictment to be issued. The jury’s proceedings are confidential and must be kept so by all witnesses, jurors, and anyone else who was present at the proceedings. Grand jurors may not discuss the case or its evidence with anyone outside the jury. Furthermore, the jurors must be instructed that they cannot rely on any information outside of what they have received in the jury room.

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What are the rules governing federal criminal grand juries?

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