TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - A Grand Jury determines whether or not there is sufficient evidence for an accused person stand trial. Unlike the jury during a trial, a Grand Jury is not asked to determine whether a person is guilty or innocent. Grand Jury proceedings are secret, because an accused person is often not charged until the Grand Jury agrees to indict him or her.
In Ohio, a Grand Jury consists of 15 registered voters. The Grand Jury usually only hears the prosecution's side of the case. Jurors receive information from prosecutors, and may also hear testimony from witnesses or experts.
A Grand Jury hears many cases throughout its period of service, usually two weeks in Lucas County.
A person may or may not be arrested prior to a Grand Jury hearing. In some cases, police charge the accused person with a crime, then forward the case to the grand jury. In other cases, an indictment is handed down by the Grand Jury, then an arrest warrant is issued for the accused person.
