What is the process of the grand jury?
For potential felony charges, a prosecutor will present the evidence to an impartial group of citizens called a grand jury. The grand jury listens to the prosecutor and witnesses, and then votes in secret on whether they believe that enough evidence exists to charge the person with a crime.
How long is grand jury duty in PA?
18 months
Grand jurors serve a period of 18 months – one week per month – but can vote to extend this period by six months. Grand jurors cannot serve more than 24 months.
How long do grand jurors take?
Grand jury processes can last months, even years. While all states have provisions to allow for grand juries, only around half use them, with other states preferring to rely on a preliminary hearing to determine whether or not to indict a defendant on non-federal charges.
Are grand jury proceedings secret?
Grand jury proceedings are secret. No judge is present; the proceedings are led by a prosecutor; and the defendant has no right to present his case or (in many instances) to be informed of the proceedings at all. While court reporters usually transcribe the proceedings, the records are sealed.
What cases go to grand jury?
The grand jury plays an important role in the criminal process, but not one that involves a finding of guilt or punishment of a party. Instead, a prosecutor will work with a grand jury to decide whether to bring criminal charges or an indictment against a potential defendant — usually reserved for serious felonies.
How much do you get paid to be on a grand jury in PA?
Pennsylvania – Jury Duty Compensation Juror pay in Pennsylvania is $9.00 per day for the first three days of service, and $25.00 per day thereafter.
How does grand jury work in PA?
Grand juries in Pennsylvania are provided for by the Investigating Grand Jury Act, which authorizes the process and limits the tribunal’s term to a maximum of 24 months. When the grand jury does hear a criminal case and an indictment is issued, the grand jury proceedings become public.
Who decides if a case goes to grand jury?
The prosecutor will typically: determine that the case should be charged and file a “complaint” (the charging document may go by a different name) decide that the case should go to a grand jury, which will decide what charges, if any, to file, or. decide not to pursue the case.
How much do grand jurors get paid?
Grand Jury Federal jurors are paid $50 a day. Jurors can receive up to $60 a day after serving 45 days on a grand jury. (Employees of the federal government are paid their regular salary in lieu of this fee.) Jurors also are reimbursed for reasonable transportation expenses and parking fees.
Why would a case go to the grand jury?
Is there a grand jury procedure in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania grand jury procedure is unlike its federal counterpart, which contains a definite grand jury procedure and a body of case law which the judges, prosecutors and defense bar readily follow. The Pennsylvania Grand Jury statute was adopted in 1980 and can be found at 42 Pa. C.S.A 4549, et seq.
How are the Proceedings of a grand jury conducted?
All grand jury proceedings are conducted behind closed doors, without a presiding judge. The prosecutors are tasked with arranging for the appearance of witnesses, as well as drafting the order in which they are called, and take part in the questioning of witnesses.
What is the Criminal Procedure Rule in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Criminal Procedure Rule 556.10 provides that a grand jury witness may disclose his or her testimony before the grand jury, unless the attorney for the commonwealth obtains an order from the supervising judge that directs otherwise.
How does a grand jury work in York County?
On the county level, a prosecutor can submit an application to the president judge for an order to summon a grand jury. In York County, a grand jury was used to investigate and bring charges in the long unsolved murders of Lillie Belle Allen and York City Police Officer Henry Schaad in the York race riots.