What is the role of a grand jury in a class A felony case? In serious criminal cases like class A felonies, our legal system uses a process to determine if there is enough evidence to bring the case to trial. One of the tools in this process is the grand jury.
If you’re facing class A felony charges, you need the help of an experienced Combs Waterkotte criminal defense lawyer. Our legal team has successfully handled over 10,000 cases just like yours.
Call (314) 900-HELP now or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our expert felony defense lawyers.
The Role of a Grand Jury
A grand jury is a panel of citizens convened to assess whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the accused is responsible for it. In certain cases, a grand jury replaces the preliminary hearing. Their role is simply to decide if there’s enough evidence to formally charge the individual and proceed to trial, not to determine guilt or innocence.
Unlike a regular jury, grand jury proceedings are conducted in secret. The grand jury does not hear both sides of the case, only the prosecution presents evidence. This secrecy is intended to protect the reputation of the accused if no charges are brought and to encourage witnesses to speak freely. If the jury believes there is probable cause, they issue an indictment – a formal charge that moves the case to the trial phase, where guilt or innocence will be determined by a regular trial jury. The indictment typically lists the charges and the essential facts that support them.
A grand jury in Missouri typically consists of 12 individuals who are randomly selected from lists of registered voters or other sources to ensure that the final group best represents a cross-section of the community. Grand jury members convene for a term of no longer than 6 months by order of a circuit judge, except the term could be extended for a period of 60 days or less.
A grand jury serves as a check on prosecutorial power. It ensures that an individual can’t be indicted roughshod on serious charges like a class A felony without sufficient evidence. While the threshold for probable cause is lower than that for conviction – only 9 of the 12 jurors need to agree – the grand jury still plays a key role in preventing baseless or politically motivated prosecutions.
What is the Role of a Grand Jury in a Class A Felony Case? || Combs Waterkotte
If you’ve been arrested on class A felony charges, you need a skilled defense attorney on your side. While a grand jury plays a crucial role in deciding whether your case should proceed to trial, so too does your class A felony lawyer – protecting your rights, your future, and your freedom.
Call Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free case review.
