Legal Definitions - accusing jury

An accusing jury is also known as a grand jury. It is a group of people, usually 23, who are chosen to sit for at least a month and decide whether to issue indictments in ex parte proceedings. They are responsible for evaluating evidence supporting possible charges and returning an indictment only in those cases where the evidence amounts to at least probable cause.

For example, if a person is suspected of committing a crime, the accusing jury will review the evidence presented to them and decide whether to charge the suspect with a specific crime. If they decide that the evidence is strong enough to hold the suspect for trial, they will return a bill of indictment charging the suspect with the crime.

There are different types of grand juries, such as the investigative grand jury, which examines possible crimes and develops evidence not currently available to the prosecution. Another type is the screening grand jury, whose primary function is to decide whether to issue an indictment.

Overall, the accusing jury plays an important role in the criminal justice system by determining whether there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime and hold them for trial.