Frequently Asked Questions
What is a federal grand jury?
Federal prosecutors charge most cases by presenting evidence to a federal grand jury which is made up of jurors. The grand juries serve two functions: they investigate cases through reviewing documents and hearing witness testimony, and they return indictments when they find probable cause to believe that a defendant has committed the crime charged. By law, grand juries operate in secret.
For a more in depth discussion on federal grand juries and the federal judicial process, please visit the U.S. Federal Judicial Process in Brief.