Madison Stanton

October 11, 2023

Our own, Maddie Stanton, shared her experience for her recent service on a Massachusetts Grand Jury, which is an element in our judicial system that most of us dom't know much about. The grand jury that she served on dealt with the full range of felony cases that could be brought before them by the District Attorney's office. While she could not reveal and specific, she gave a great overview of the Grand Jury process, and and its role in our judicial process. In most cases they find that there is sufficient state's evidence to bind the defendant over for trial, but in a few cases they did not vote a true bill indictment.

Purpose of a Grand Jury

A grand jury is used in the U.S. to protect people from unjustifiable and unfair prosecution. The grand jury, composed of 12 to 23 everyday citizens, reviews evidence, and hears testimony for the purpose of conducting an investigation into alleged criminal conduct. Such grand jury investigations take place behind closed doors, testimony being kept secret, in order to encourage witnesses to testify freely. If there is sufficient evidence presented to warrant the defendant being charged with the crime, and put on trial, the grand jury issues an indictment.

Once a grand jury hears all of the evidence presented by the prosecutor in a particular matter, it makes a determination about whether there is probable cause to officially charge the defendant with the crime(s). If the evidence is deemed sufficient, the grand jury issues a true bill indictment – essentially saying it is “true” that there is probable cause. If the grand jury feels there is not sufficient evidence to warrant criminal charges, the jury issues a “no true bill.”

When a true bill indictment is issued, it results in the defendant being criminally charged, and the move toward trial begins. When a no true bill is issued, most people never even know the matter was heard by a grand jury, as these proceedings take place confidentially.