Grand Jury Investigations

A federal grand jury is a group of citizens who are selected and sworn to investigate potential federal criminal activity and determine whether there is enough evidence to bring formal charges and proceed with a trial. Federal grand juries are typically used in serious criminal cases that involve federal laws, such as those involving drug trafficking, white-collar crime, and organized crime. They are an important part of the American federal criminal justice system and are different from state grand juries in some ways.

Grand Jury Process


The process of a federal grand jury investigation begins with a federal prosecutor presenting evidence and testimony to the grand jury. This evidence may include testimony from witnesses, physical evidence, and documents. The grand jury then considers this evidence and decides whether there is probable cause to believe that a federal crime has been committed and that the person under investigation is responsible. If the grand jury finds probable cause, it will return an indictment, which is a formal accusation of a federal crime.

Key Features of the Federal Grand Jury


One of the key features of federal grand jury investigations is that they are secret proceedings. This is done to protect the integrity of the investigation and the rights of the accused. Federal grand jury proceedings are not open to the public and the testimony given before the grand jury is not made public. This secrecy allows witnesses to speak freely and candidly without fear of reprisal or public scrutiny. However, the secrecy of federal grand jury proceedings can also be a source of controversy. Critics argue that the lack of transparency can lead to abuse of power by prosecutors and a lack of accountability for the grand jury’s actions. Additionally, the secrecy can make it difficult for the public to understand and evaluate the federal criminal justice system.

Another important aspect of federal grand juries is that they are independent from the federal court system. A federal grand jury operates independently of the judge and is not bound by the rules of evidence that apply in a courtroom. This allows the grand jury to consider a wide range of evidence and testimony, even if it would not be admissible in a trial.

While federal grand juries are typically used in serious criminal cases, they can also be used in other types of investigations, such as those involving public officials or police misconduct. In these cases, the federal grand jury may be used to investigate potential corruption or abuse of power. The federal grand jury also has the power to subpoena individuals and documents, which allows them to gather evidence and testimony that may not be available through other means.

However, the use of federal grand juries is not without controversy. Critics argue that federal grand juries are often used by prosecutors to secure indictments of individuals who have not committed a crime and that the secrecy of federal grand jury proceedings can be used to conceal misconduct on the part of prosecutors. Additionally, some argue that the federal grand jury process is too one-sided and favors the prosecution, as there is no defense counsel present during the proceedings, and the accused is not given the opportunity to present evidence or cross-examine witnesses.

Despite these criticisms, federal grand juries play an important role in the American federal criminal justice system. They provide a critical check on the power of federal prosecutors and help to ensure that only those who are truly guilty of a federal crime are brought to trial. Additionally, federal grand juries can be an effective tool for investigating and uncovering serious federal criminal activity.

It is also worth mentioning that under the 5th amendment of the United States Constitution, an individual cannot be held for a capital or infamous crime unless he or she has been indicted by a grand jury. This is a fundamental right, and it’s essential for the protection of citizens against arbitrary government action.

Contact an Experienced Orange County Federal Crimes Attorney


If you’re under investigation by the grand jury, or you received a grand jury subpoena, then you need to retain a lawyer to protect your rights. Early intervention by an Orange County federal crimes attorney could mean the difference between serving time in prison or having the case rejected entirely from prosecution. Contact the Law Offices of John D. Rogers today to schedule a free consultation.

In the Media
abc 7 kcal 2 kcal 9 LA Weekly Los Angeles Times NBC

Contact Us For A Free Case Evaluation

(949) 625-4487
4000 MacArthur Blvd. East Tower Suite 615 Newport Beach, CA 92660

Contact Us

24 Hour Response Time