What is a grand jury?

What is a grand jury? This video discusses the role of a grand jury in determining whether a suspect should be charged with a crime. Members of a grand jury are randomly selected. Unlike trial juries, grand juries do not decide whether a defendant is guilty - - only whether there is enough evidence to charge the defendant with a crime.
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[@777dolf1]

This is perfect. Straight to the point done with plain simple language. Outstanding job!!!

[@jayjainaraine9547]

Beautiful and very informative video. Now I know what is the function of grand jury… Thanks,

[@EllieSJWoo]

I got your longer lecture on udemy and it was even better! Thank you!

[@kevinr8579]

Thanks for the information. Lots of other places aren't clear at all.

[@diontaedaughtry974]

Thank you this was very helpful and informative 👍👍

[@rickiex]

Omg, good video. I've been so confused about grand jury until today. Thank you so much! I sub too!

[@USLawEssentials]

Hi Rickiex. Thanks very much.

[@jenniferblusk2778]

Thank you! I finally understand what a grand jury is.

[@susieQ1982]

I just got sworn in as one today . I have no idea what to expect . I have to serve for 6 months

[@hyojinlee]

Thank you for this video!

[@williamgregory1848]

A grand jury is a jury-typically a group of 23 citizens-empowered by law to conduct legal proceedings, investigate potential criminal conduct, and determine whether criminal charges should be brought. A grand jury may subpoena physical evidence or a person to testify. A grand jury is separate from the courts, which do not preside over its functioning.

[@2KBlockBlind]

POV: Your Civics/History class brought you here and know you're replaying the video because you weren't paying attention the first time

[@oibal60]

Thanks for this.

[@sergeantfirstclassb4998]

Thanks for the video!

[@michealguillen8496]

Good video it very understanding 👍 explains it meaning thank a help

[@EllieSJWoo]

This is great!

[@nicolescott4564]

Thank you

[@harryz453]

thanks man

[@RyanDuVal]

Trump brought me here.

[@mikelennox3157]

Ryan DuVal me too.

[@danholmesfilm]

2020 brought me here

[@killerjay1740]

Bryona Taylor brought me here

[@killerjay1740]

@J Jo lmao damn playa calm down, im just saying what brought me here, not saying what i think one way or the other

[@nekonikeify]

yikes why?

[@molybdomancer195]

I always wondered what grand jury was. Here in England and Wales, the decision to prosecute someone or not is made by the Crown Prosecution Service, and they also conduct the prosecution when a case goes to trial.

[@johnaustin5677]

And in Scotland cases are settled with a Haggis cook-off, followed by a bagpipe competition.

[@dutchgala826]

@@johnaustin5677 LoL

[@dutchgala826]

Here in America, regarding announcement of a Grand Jury inquiry in The Trump Organization is not a simple case of a simple robbery. This criminal (unlike civil) GrandJ investigation is... For Google, a "complicated case" of "White Collar crime" "District" Attorney *Cy Vance* "State" Attorney General *Leticia James* "money laundering" fmr American *Mafia* prosecutor, *Mark Pomerantz* generally, *RICO baby RICO* Take care.

[@dutchgala826]

How are your countries with CoVid Vaccinations? In America, states are bribing selfish idiots to get vaxxed. A beer, baseball tickets, lottery, pathetic cookie rewards. Pls stay safe, we love you. (& the UK strain.)

[@dutchgala826]

@@johnaustin5677 I jut googled *Haggis* ...gross!!! Banned in the US. Illegal since 1971. However my ancestry is Dutch & god only knows what was served while visiting relatives.

[@7335alex]

Can the public request for a grand jury on a case if they think a responsible party should be charged?

[@tazo1jd]

hi , I have gotten summons on the day of 1/5/2018 to be a grand juror in my state of pennsylvania So i am search the web to learn what to expect.

[@candgsouth8183]

So, if the grand jury finds that there is enough evidence, it will go to court? but if the court system is corrupt ? I'm new to this .

[@GrizlySheperd]

Yep thanks

[@camdonmarden6866]

Right but just being charged or indicted comes with so many barriers. Only convictions should show up on background.

[@AtlasPower990]

Bam! Thank you. The 5th amendment is a lie if a criminal charge shows on a person's record. How can you be denied employment, if you are innocent? That doesn't make sense.

[@user-wn8hk3pi8z]

EXA

[@TovahLauren]

This is helpful context right now as they discuss the new grand jury against former president trump

[@JacobTJ1]

thanks

[@USLawEssentials]

Jacob TJ sure, hope it was helpful.

[@FirstLast-numba1]

What are the Requirements to be included in indictment? Can the state just say defendant is charged with x crime or must they allege each element of the crime?

[@DonnyNoMarie]

Do defense lawyers get to speak to the grand jury or refute evidence? 😏

[@USLawEssentials]

Usually no.

[@DonnyNoMarie]

@@USLawEssentials they meet in secrecy, no judge or defense lawyer is (typically) present, the prosecutor decides what evidence is presented and HOW it's presented. What could possibly go wrong?

[@USLawEssentials]

I understand your point but keep in mind this is before the defendant is charged. Obviously things are different after the indictment (assuming the grand jury agrees to indict).

[@24321619]

A grand jury has been compared to the old court held hundreds of years ago in England and known as ''The Court Of The Star Chambers''

[@filho4437]

Grand Jury's are more of a shield for the prosecutor than a defendant.

[@Ozymandi_as]

Waste of time and resources, cases could be independently assessed for charging decisions in a fraction of the time without any loss of protection for the rights of the accused. Justice delayed serves no-one but the guilty.

[@rodneywhite4774]

Grand Jurys are a force in todays justice sytem. Grand Jurys shall be of the people and seperate from any other branch of government this is suported by the Supreme Court. But We The People keep letting the servents act like Kings and tell us what, when,how to govern ourselfs.

[@PANTYEATR1]

civil law should have a grand jury...I've seen a few judgments made without any evidence... thanks

[@susieQ1982]

Agreed

[@GoGo-rw4hk]

I have a question, What happens when the victim is called to talk in the gran jury?

[@duanchamp1988]

If they show up they will be under oath so they better not lie or they will go to jail instead . I think that's how it works....if they are a liar they won't show up.

[@carinagrossman]

came here cuz of a mock grand jury trial about tuck everlasting

[@nosyrosie3716]

Thank you for this information. If I never commit a felony , I will never be seen in US Court for a Grand trial.

[@cashcleaner]

So is there any difference between being charged with a crime and being indicted? Apologies if that was covered.

[@gnosticelk8193]

they're the same thing.

[@cashcleaner]

@@gnosticelk8193 Thanks! 👍

[@evilkid28]

If a grand jury's role is to be presented with evidence to decide if there is even a case to pursue and indict someone of a crime, doesn't the accused have a right to evaluate the evidence as well as a part of their defense? Also, if someone is being accused of a crime, wouldn't they be notified of an upcoming grand jury hearing to defend themselves against the prosecution before an indictment is issued? Thanks

[@MexiSword]

Actually on that first part thats a big negative. There is no defence lawyers or even the defence itself. The jury takes into account if theres a cause to proceed to indict such a person. Then they will have their time to defend. All the while they are presumend innocent till proven guilty by jury. In political terms: Trump is worried Mullers grand jury will indicte him for various crimes. During that time Muller is getting information and having a grand jury give him permission to go for or against collecting certain witness materials. This is where Trump is saying he is legally bound to not be indicted. If he is found with enough evidence he doesnt have to go to court becaise thays "Presidental power". Though lawmakers are not to happy with that line of thinking.

[@USLawEssentials]

Thanks evil for the good questions and RR for the response. A defendant cannot challenge the grand jury's indictment until he is indicted -- at that point he has recourse under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6. For example, he can move to dismiss the indictment. That might seem unfair, but keep in mind that the grand jury stage is where the prosecutor should be determining whether he has enough evidence for a conviction. If defendants receive advance word of a grand jury proceeding there is always the possibility that they would flee, destroy evidence, etc.

[@bmmd2332]

good explanation of indictment, but what about a presentment?

[@johhnyapplesseed9776]

How many or what percent of grand jurors have to vote for indictment? What if the desicion is split?

[@USLawEssentials]

I believe most states require a majority (usually 3/4 or 2/3), however, I think a few states require unanimous indictments although I'm not really sure. Federal grand juries require at least 12 people to vote to indict, so typically this requires at least 12/16 (Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6).

[@johhnyapplesseed9776]

@@USLawEssentials thanks

[@OverdoseCoach]

Wait...indictments show up on background checks?

[@t.a.p.3730]

Does ocga or the state of Georgia mandates that an indictment must have a stamped seal from the grand jury validating it as a true bill?

[@rickydona4661]

At Close Range (1986) brought me here.

[@jeanasmith9146]

What is the Latin term for Grand Jury? Example: a trial jury is called a "petit" jury. But what is the word for Grand Jury?

[@USLawEssentials]

Hi JS, petit (french) = small;' Grand = big.

[@alltrixnotreat]

Do grand jury's convene for every case? that seems pretty unbelievable so probably not, huh?

[@USLawEssentials]

Hey there Deeda. Federal criminal cases require a grand jury and some states have grand juries, too. No matter what, there is always some requirement to establish that there is enough evidence to charge a defendant with a crime.

[@ez3333]

😇👍

[@Logangil515]

Came here because of Daredevil

[@califerniasammy1555]

Seriously. There was virtually no information about grand jury proceedings in here. I literally know nothing more than I did before watching this video.

[@USLawEssentials]

You are correct.

[@spwan10]

So you receive an indictment after a grand juries review?

[@USLawEssentials]

Yes, if a gj agrees that there is enough evidence to charge a person with a crime, the defendant will be indicted - - accused of committing a crime.

[@spwan10]

@@USLawEssentials thanks:). Also when do u appear in front of a grand jury?, is that during your arraignment or after follow the perliminary hearing hearing

[@USLawEssentials]

Typically a defendant does not appear before a grand jury. The grand jury reviews the evidence gathered to date and determines whether defendant should be charged with a crime. The defendant is still presumed innocent and the state must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt if the case goes to trial.

[@spwan10]

@@USLawEssentials thank u I really appreciate it. Sorry for the rudimentary questions but I just need alil understanding an clarification on few things for a class project im doing on felony cases and the criminal proceeding process. If you don't mind answering a few more questions, where does a felony murder case go after police investigation? And what are the next judicial steps after arraignment? And if the felony case goes to trial who is involved.? Thanks again for the information:)

[@USLawEssentials]

@Spwan10. What you get from me though is not research and your instructor will not consider it an acceptable source. I hope this does not sound like I am blowing you off - - I want you to get an A! The videos I make provide an introduction and I do plan to add more on criminal procedure but you should get a textbook and review the steps of criminal procedure. This way you will be able to show your instructor what you understand and how you came to that understanding. When you can have good sources then you will earn and deserve an A. For example, here is a link to the federal rules of criminal procedure: www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcrmp You could review these rules and then research some of the major stages of a criminal case with citations to the rules and your other research. Perhaps it would also be helpful to research a recent or famous federal criminal case and use that case as an example of each stage of a criminal prosecution. I hope this helps.

[@swaggyghoulies2690]

i watched this because someone was messaging me (a minor) and the person messaging me was 28. the FBI told me what grand jury was held and i didnt understand.

[@bryanbradley6871]

unless youre John Ramsey and Pasty Ramsey 😂

[@RishadRashid]

Hypothetically speaking, if a local DA issues a Grand Jury Subpoena to a local Police Department to turn in evidence for an Officer involved shooting; however a Grand Jury is not available (Due to a Global Pandemic) and this Local DA still decides to Indict the Officer involved an sends him to Jail, would this DA have violated this Officer's 5th Amendment Right? And would a case of that caliber be thrown out?

[@USLawEssentials]

Well, a DA doesn't indict a defendant. That's the job of the grand jury. There are a number of articles on how state courts and the federal courts have been dealing with jury trials and grand juries in light of the Covid 19 pandemic. For example, news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/u-s-courts-try-out-social-distancing-video-for-grand-juries

[@azula112]

is the suspect there as well?

[@USLawEssentials]

There is no requirement that the suspect be present. Often the suspect is not. Of course, if he is charged with a crime, things change. Defendant has the right to attend court proceedings.

[@hunterdan2510]

How does a defefant get info about grand jury and witnesses...and how does one know if there is a grand jury about them

[@USLawEssentials]

HD, I should add there are different rules between federal and state grand juries. In some states a defendant has the right to appear in a grand jury hearing. But either way, once the person is formally accused of a crime he has the right to challenge a grand jury proceeding as being improper. And once accused of a crime a defendant has the right to see the evidence against him.

[@johnhampshire4075]

what an awful procedure!!!

[@25mfd]

How so?

[@area51r]

ur an awful procedure

[@25mfd]

@MrStig691 but they pick the grand jury jurors from the same citizen pool they pick for court jury... so you could still end up with the same "Stupid one-sided and improper jurors" for court juries as well as grand juries... I guess the accused had better pray they get the jury members from the "smart" side of town... lol

[@rustincohle2135]

@@25mfd "but they pick the grand jury jurors from the same citizen pool they pick for court jury" That's not an equivalent nor does it justify it, you dumbass. The selection process for a grand jury is not the same as the selection for a trial jury. There is no screening for biases or conflicts when selecting a grand jury as there is with a trial jury. Plus the defendant is not present at these proceedings nor is his/her defense attorneys to challenge "evidence" and no judge is present to verify that this process is conducted in a supposedly blind and neutral manner. It's all based on the bias of the prosecutor and a couple dozen citizens who have ZERO legal expertise. Not to mention a grand jury virtually NEVER brings about charges against police officers suspected of crimes as prosecutors work so closely with these cops, making it an INCREDIBLY biased process. The concept of a grand jury is absolutely despicable.

[@frank64409]

Can the people form a Grand Jury to investigate the government?

[@USLawEssentials]

Although grand juries are formed by the government, in a democracy the government is acting on behalf of "the people". So a grand jury in a federal case is acting on behalf of the people of the United States. The target of a grand jury investigation can be anyone, including government officials.

[@rafaelsorianoalcala1]

Now I know what is going to happen to trumpas

[@marvinbrando722]

It is basically a santa inquisition

[@xylezentry7354]

What if David was just a customer. but the dog or kid or cashier. stole the money.

[@MarieSantini0607]

Puerto Rico governor's mess brought me here. #TelegramGate

[@Wellch]

Can a grand jury practice jury nullification

[@RealAlexMouse]

no one is mentioning that he used goanimate to make the video

[@ez3333]

😇😂

[@jerrypeal653]

Oh look they have ham sandwiches!

[@WokeBegone]

For example, let's say there's a President...

[@mikeseal3053]

Trump brought me here

[@alanmott-smith9358]

BS

[@matthewchrist7452]

Breonna Taylor brought me here.

[@teeque5320]

watching this on 9/24/2020 trying to understand the shameful and disgusting failure of our justice system in the case of Breonna Taylor. Apparently, citizens do not deserve safety from the excessive (and lethal) police force even in the sanctity of their own bedroom in their own home! this system is a joke! a fucking joke!

[@ericstormdragon3534]

The Breonna Taylor case shows that the idea "No Knock Warrants" needs to be reconsidered in light of the prevalence of home invasions.

[@joy-qf8rp]

Trump for prison =Trump 2️⃣🚫2️⃣4️⃣

[@dutchgala826]

If it were only that easy. Considering I've been educating myself (such as you) since Feb 2021, I'll be brief. The NYState GrandJ investigation to *The Trump Organization* . Not a simple case of one person on a simple robbery. No, this GrandJ inquiry is a "complicated case" of *"White Collar Crime!"* Take care Joy =) I share, Trump for prison, because justice matters.