What Is a Grand Jury?
The Law Office of Nicholas P. Frye, P.C. provides dedicated and personalized criminal defense legal representation for clients in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New Hampshire, in both State and Federal courts.
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A grand jury is a group of 23 citizens selected to review evidence presented by prosecutors to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that a person has committed a felony offense. Grand juries meet in secret, and neither the defendant nor their attorney is typically present during these proceedings.
The role of the grand jury is not to decide guilt or innocence, but rather to decide whether the Commonwealth has enough evidence to formally charge someone with a crime. This process serves as a safeguard to ensure that serious criminal charges are not brought without sufficient evidence.
If the grand jury determines that probable cause exists, it issues an indictment, which is a formal document listing the specific criminal charges against the defendant. Once indicted, the case proceeds to the Superior Court, where the defendant will be arraigned and the case will move toward trial unless it is resolved beforehand.
Being the subject of a grand jury investigation does not always result in an indictment, but if you have been notified that you are under investigation or have been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury, it is critical to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately to protect your rights.
