How long is grand jury duty in Georgia?
two-month
The Grand Jury consists of twenty-three (23) members and three (3) alternates. Grand Jurors serve for a two-month term. If you are selected to serve on the Grand Jury, Grand Jury will meet on average one to two days per week.
What happens after grand jury indictment Georgia?
Grand Jury They determine whether there is sufficient evidence to bring an indictment to trial. If an indictment is returned (True Bill), the case goes to the Superior Court for trial.
Are grand juries used in Georgia?
Special grand juries, which are not used often in Georgia, can help in the investigation of complex matters. They do not have the power to return an indictment but can make recommendations to prosecutors on criminal prosecutions.
How is grand jury picked?
Federal law requires that a grand jury be selected at random from a fair cross section of the community in the district or division in which the federal grand jury convenes. Thus, all citizens have an equal opportunity and obligation to serve.
How often do grand juries indict?
Based on the influence of the prosecutor, who (other than the court reporter) is the only non-juror present and who selects the evidence to present, various studies have suggested that the rate of indictment by a grand jury ranges from approximately 95% to approximately 99%.
What is a special grand jury?
While a regular grand jury primarily decides whether to bring charges, a special grand jury is called into existence to investigate whether organized crime is occurring in the community in which it sits. This could include, for instance, organized drug activity or organized corruption in government.
What are the differences between a grand jury and a petit jury?
Answer: A Petit jury is the trial jury for both civil and criminal cases. A Grand jury does not appear in trial, but listens to evidence presented by an attorney for the government and determines from the evidence if sufficient probable cause exists for bringing formal criminal charges against an individual.
Can grand jurors talk about the case?
No grand juror should discuss the cases under investigation with anyone, except fellow grand jurors and the United States . Attorney or the Assistant United States Attorney, and then only in the grand jury room. Of course, the grand jurors may always seek the advice of the judge.