01-09-2015, 09:33 AM
Thanks d505.
The role of the grand jury is exactly as you described, across all jurisdictions. Grand juries sometimes hear not only the prosecutor's evidence, but also witness testimony -- sometimes, though very rarely, the defendant is a grand jury witness.
But, grand jury scheduling and procedures are very different between jurisdictions in states that still use them (about half) and the ones in Toledo typically meet for half days, with jurors serving for two week durations. It sounds like a standing grand jury is always in session where you served, but in many jurisdictions they meet only on certain days of the week or certain blocks of the month with special sessions scheduled if needed.
Typically, across the country, there are between 16 to 23 grand jurors and a vote of 2⁄3 or 3⁄4 majority is required to indict. In Ohio jurisdictions, a grand jury can be made up of 9 (and 5 alternates), with a vote of 7 allowing for a true bill or indictment.
Anyway, with grand jury logistics varying drastically between jurisdictions and details being secret by design, we don't know as much about them as we do petit trial juries, so I was just wondering aloud about the Clarkes' cases. In any event, I'm glad their cases were heard so quickly. As you noted, the outcome isn't surprising -- the vast majority of defendants are indicted. It'll sure be interesting if they end up going to trial.
The role of the grand jury is exactly as you described, across all jurisdictions. Grand juries sometimes hear not only the prosecutor's evidence, but also witness testimony -- sometimes, though very rarely, the defendant is a grand jury witness.
But, grand jury scheduling and procedures are very different between jurisdictions in states that still use them (about half) and the ones in Toledo typically meet for half days, with jurors serving for two week durations. It sounds like a standing grand jury is always in session where you served, but in many jurisdictions they meet only on certain days of the week or certain blocks of the month with special sessions scheduled if needed.
Typically, across the country, there are between 16 to 23 grand jurors and a vote of 2⁄3 or 3⁄4 majority is required to indict. In Ohio jurisdictions, a grand jury can be made up of 9 (and 5 alternates), with a vote of 7 allowing for a true bill or indictment.
Anyway, with grand jury logistics varying drastically between jurisdictions and details being secret by design, we don't know as much about them as we do petit trial juries, so I was just wondering aloud about the Clarkes' cases. In any event, I'm glad their cases were heard so quickly. As you noted, the outcome isn't surprising -- the vast majority of defendants are indicted. It'll sure be interesting if they end up going to trial.