Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!houxm!hogpc!hogpd!3215rfs From: 3215rfs@hogpd.UUCP (R.SOYACK) Newsgroups: net.legal Subject: Grand Jury Message-ID: <377@hogpd.UUCP> Date: Wed, 15-Aug-84 09:58:29 EDT Article-I.D.: hogpd.377 Posted: Wed Aug 15 09:58:29 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 16-Aug-84 01:28:48 EDT References: amd.194 Lines: 29 Grand juries perform in almost the way presented in a previous article. True, only the state is represented by a lawyer (technically incorrect term in this context), but the grand jurors are free to ask questions, request additional documentation, and/or additional witnesses. True, the Grand Jury does not decide guilt or innocence it brings indictments in serious crimes (felonies) based on evidence that indicates a reasonable likelihood that the crime was committed as presented by the state. True, subpoenas to appear as a witness before a Grand Jury are a matter of public record but neither the state nor a member of the Grand Jury is permitted to discuss the testimony given before the Grand Jury outside of the Grand Jury chamber. (For nit-pickers--and inside the chamber if the Grand Jury is not in session) Targets for indictment before a Grand Jury are rarely questioned before a Grand Jury. Anyone being questioned before a Grand Jury may, at any time, leave the Grand Jury chamber to consult with their attorney. The Grand Jury system was instituted as a check against wrongful prosecution by the state. By the way, the U. S. Constitution says that anyone accussed of a serious crime must first be indicted by a Grand Jury. Rich Soyack