In the past you may have served on jury duty as a petit juror, or trial juror. Grand Jurors are different from petit jurors in that you will not be asked to determine a defendant’s guilt or innocence. Rather, it is the duty of the Grand Jury to determine, after presentation of the facts of the cases by the Prosecuting Attorney or other law enforcement official, whether or not there is enough evidence against a defendant to return a formal indictment (the document informing the defendant that he/she is being charged with a felony offense). The Grand Jury consists of nine (9) members, including a foreperson, and five (5) alternates. The only people present during Grand Jury proceedings are the prosecuting attorney, the witness under examination, interpreters when needed. However, no person other than the nine jurors may be present while the Grand Jury is deliberating or voting.
The proceedings of the Grand Jury are secret and this factor is strictly enforced. Deliberations of the Grand Jury and the vote of any Grand Juror shall not be disclosed. No Grand Juror, officer of the court, or other person shall disclose that an indictment has been found against a person before such indictment is filed and the case docketed. The court may direct that an indictment shall be kept secret until the accused is in custody or has been released on bond.
Although the Grand Jury term is four (4) months long, we realize that not everyone will be able to serve the entire term. During the jury selection process, the judge will determine how long you will be able to serve. We realize the inconvenience this service will cause to your daily schedules and we do our best to work around those schedules (i.e. vacations, appointments, etc.). Grand Jurors are paid a per diem rate of $20.00 per day.
If you have specific questions about Grand Jury, please contact the Jury Services office directly at (937) 225-4704.
