What percentage of grand jury indictments go to trial?

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 does it mean to be indicted by a grand jury?

This means most courts will generally find probable cause rather than discharging the case. A Grand Jury Indictment is a document the government uses to charge you with one or more criminal (usually felony) offenses. Each offense named in the indictment is a count.

What happens after a preliminary hearing and grand jury indictment?

Following the hearing, the court may take one of four actions: (1) Hold the person to appear in the Common Pleas Court pending a Grand Jury Indictment on the originally filed charge; (2) Find probable cause to hold the person to appear in the Common Pleas Court pending a Grand Jury Indictment on another charge supported by the evidence;

What happens after an indictment in a criminal case?

(As Tom Wolfe quoted New York State chief judge Sol Wachtler in “The Bonfire of the Vanities”, “a grand jury would ‘indict a ham sandwich,’ if that’s what you wanted.”) After a grand jury indictment, a defendant has the opportunity to enter a plea.

Can a felony case be presented to a grand jury?

In federal felony cases, the government must also present your case to a federal grand jury. The government, in some cases, will give you the option to waive the grand jury indictment. In this instance the government will charge you with a document called a bill of information.

How long does it take a grand jury to indict?

Generally, the grand jury has a few years after your arrest, depending on the statute of limitations. With most federal crimes, the statute of limitations is five years. But with crimes at the state level, it can be between three and ten years. If you were arrested and are out on bond, the court generally has up to 180 days to indict you.

How does a grand jury work in a criminal case?

The work of the grand jury is not made available to the public or, in most cases, to the defendant. Only an Assistant United States Attorney and a stenographer meet with the grand jurors – plus those witnesses who are subpoenaed to give evidence. Although a grand jury proceeding is not a trial, it is a serious matter. Witnesses are put under oath.

What’s the Statute of limitations for a grand jury?

The statute of limitations is five years for most federal offenses, three years for most state offenses. The federal and state grand juries are impaneled for a specific period of time; however, if they do not reach a conclusion on your case,…

How to know if someone has been indicted or has an upcoming indictment?

If you are the defendant, send a letter to the clerk and the court requesting notice of future court dates. Call the district clerk’s office and ask if an indictment has been returned. Ask when the grand jury meets. Sets of indictments are made public usually a day or two after a grand jury meets.