grand jury

American  

noun

1. a jury, at common law, of 12 to 23 persons, designated to inquire into alleged violations of the law in order to ascertain whether the evidence is sufficient to warrant trial.

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grand jury British  

noun

1. law (esp in the US and, now rarely, in Canada) a jury of between 12 and 23 persons summoned to inquire into accusations of crime and ascertain whether the evidence is adequate to found an indictment. Abolished in Britain in 1948 Compare petit jury

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grand jury Cultural  

1. A jury that decides whether the evidence warrants bringing an accused person to trial. Once indicted (see indictment) by a grand jury, a person must stand trial.

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Etymology

Origin of grand jury

First recorded in 1490–1500, grand jury is from Anglo-French graund juree

Example Sentences

“They could convene a grand jury and subpoena the person to come to the grand jury, that person could then invoke their 5th Amendment rights,” Mason said.

From Los Angeles Times

Neff also allegedly withheld information about potential biases in the case from a grand jury, according to the two officials.

From Los Angeles Times

Smith noted that grand juries in two federal districts returned indictments after reviewing evidence gathered by career prosecutors.

From Barron's

On Tuesday, that information was presented to a grand jury in Navajo County, and an arrest warrant was issued for Michael Abatti.

From Los Angeles Times

In November, he was indicted by a grand jury.

From Los Angeles Times