Get the Facts: How does a case end up in the hands of a grand jury?
A grand jury in Georgia has indicted former President Donald Trump. He has been charged with felony racketeering and conspiracy charges as part of an investigation into the effort by Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election.
But what does a grand jury do? How does a case like this end up in the hands of a jury?
Watch the video above to learn more.
Let's get the facts on grand juries:
A grand jury's main job is usually to decide whether there is reasonable evidence and cause to believe a person committed a crime. If there is, then the jury can vote for what's known as a "true bill" – an indictment.
However, before an indictment can happen, there must be an investigation.
Grand jury investigation
Investigators use several tools, such as gathering evidence using a search warrant or statements from witnesses.
After an investigation takes place, prosecutors will evaluate the evidence to decide whether to present that case to the grand jury.
Who makes up a grand jury?
Grand juries are usually made up of 16 to 23 people from the community. Jurors are selected through a county-wide pool of potential jurors, usually registered voters. Those grand jury members will typically meet a couple of days per week or per month.
Everything that happens in the grand jury room is supposed to stay secret while that jury is active. Secrecy helps ensure witnesses will fully cooperate with the investigation and allows grand jurors to make decisions without outside interference.
Related video above: What are the unfounded Georgia election interference claims?
To conduct any business, a specific majority of the jurors must be present.
How a grand jury votes
In order to make a decision, jurors who have heard essential and critical evidence can then vote. When the voting takes place, no one else is in the room.
If a grand jury votes to hand up an indictment, it goes to a prosecutor or judge. In some court systems in the United States, an indictment is required to criminally charge someone.
