What is a Grand Jury?

The Grand Jury is a group of citizens selected from a jury pool that listens to a brief testimony to determine if the State of Illinois has enough “probable cause” to charge a person with criminal charges. The Grand Jury is a closed proceeding unlike a preliminary hearing. It is usually reserved for serious felony cases. This is not a proceeding to determine guilt or innocence. It is merely to determine probable cause to charge the offender with a crime. 

Show All Answers

1. What is a public defender or defense attorney?
2. Who is the defendant/offender?
3. What is a bond hearing?
4. What is the difference between a criminal case and civil case?
5. What is a preliminary hearing?
6. What is a Grand Jury?
7. What is an indictment?
8. What is an arraignment?
9. What is a pre-trial?
10. How can an offender plea not guilty if he/she made a statement to the police or there are witnesses to the crime?
11. Who decides if the defendant pleas guilty or goes to trial?
12. What is the purpose of a trial?
13. What is a sentencing hearing?
14. What is a pre-sentence investigation (PSI)?
15. What is a negotiated or plea agreement?
16. What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
17. What happens if the defendant is sentenced to the Department of Corrections (prison)?
18. How much of the sentence will a defendant have to actually serve?