Trial Juries

Southern District Of Indiana

Trial Juries vs. Grand Juries: Understanding the Differences

Trial Juries

A trial jury is a common feature of both criminal and civil cases. Unlike a grand jury, which is a private body, a trial jury (known as a petit jury) is generally open to public observation.

Grand Juries

Purpose and Function

A grand jury focuses solely on preliminary criminal matters. It assesses evidence presented by a prosecutor to determine whether there is probable cause to believe an individual committed a crime. Grand juries are sometimes referred to as having accusatory and investigatory functions, but their primary purpose is to determine probable cause for prosecution.

Composition and Procedures

Updated in September 2018, a grand jury is a body of 16 to 23 laypeople. When the public interest requires it, the court orders the summoning of a grand jury. The court's order specifies the number of members to be summoned.

Southern District Of Indiana