Grand Juries

Question 1

What Grand Juries Do

Answer 1

1. Grand juries issue indictments

Question 2

Secrecy of Grand Jury Proceedings

Answer 2

1. Proceedings are secret, not public
   
   1. mostly prosecutor and witnesses testifying, not much other dialogue

Question 3

Constitutional Duty to Use Grand Juries

Answer 3

1. States have no constitutional duty to use grand juries, but fed gov’t does

Question 4

Grand Juries and Amendments to Indictments

Answer 4

1. if amendment to indictment includes additional offense, must go back to grand jury

Question 5

Grand Juries in VA

Answer 5

1. grand juries are used in Virginia
2. Kinds:
   
   1. regular/charging grand juries
   2. Special/Investigative Grand Jury
   3. Multi-Jurisdictional Grand Jury

Question 6

VA- Regular/Charging Grand Juries

Answer 6

1. 5 to 7 jurors
2. considers bills of indictment prepared by the attorney for the Commonwealth, and
3. determines whether there is sufficient probable cause to return a true bill (agree that charges should be filed) or no bill (disagree with filing charges).

Question 7

VA- Special Investigative Grand Juries

Answer 7

1. 7 to 11 jurors
2. investigates and makes a report (has limited power)
3. report filed with the court and then the grand jury is discharged

Question 8

VA- Multi-Jurisdictional Grand Jury

Answer 8

1. acts across jurisdictional lines within VA to investigate and return indictments