WEB Grand Jury Selection
Introductory Note
In the New York City criminal justice system, grand juries play a crucial role in determining whether or not a defendant should stand trial. Grand juries are composed of 23 randomly selected citizens who hear evidence presented by the prosecutor and decide whether there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed a crime. If the grand jury votes to indict the defendant, the case will proceed to trial. However, if the grand jury votes not to indict, the charges will be dismissed.
Why does New York need grand juries?
Grand juries serve several important purposes in the New York City criminal justice system. First, they help to ensure that only those defendants who are likely to be convicted of a crime are brought to trial. This saves the court system time and resources, and it also helps to protect the rights of the accused.
Second, grand juries help to protect the secrecy of the investigation. The proceedings of a grand jury are closed to the public, and the jurors are sworn to secrecy. This helps to ensure that the investigation is not tainted by outside influences, and it also protects the privacy of the victims and witnesses.
Who presents evidence to the grand jury?
The prosecutor is responsible for presenting evidence to the grand jury. The prosecutor will typically call witnesses to testify about the crime, and he or she may also present physical evidence, such as DNA or fingerprints. The defendant is not present at the grand jury proceedings, and he or she does not have the right to cross-examine the witnesses.
Who decides what evidence to present?
The prosecutor has the sole discretion to decide what evidence to present to the grand jury. The prosecutor is not required to present all of the evidence that is available, and he or she may choose to present only the evidence that is most favorable to the prosecution's case.
Comments