ROLE OF THE GRAND JURY |
A PETIT
jury, or trial jury, hears and decides a case and renders a verdict. A GRAND jury,
on the other hand has a different function. It is asked to decide only whether there
is enough evidence to cause a person to be brought to trial for a crime. The grand
jury hears only one side of the case, the government's, and it does not render a
verdict. Its decision is an indictment, which is merely an accusation, or a decision
that the person in question should stand trial to determine his/her innocence or guilt. |
| GRAND JURY SECRECY |
It is the responsibility of each grand
juror to maintain the secrecy of the grand jury's proceedings. This means that the
grand jurors should discuss grand jury matters only within the grand jury meeting room.
Grand jurors can only be released from their permanent obligation to keep the grand
jury proceedings secret by order of a federal judge. |
| LENGTH OF
SERVICE |
Regular Grand juries
are empanelled for a period of six months. Occasionally a special grand jury may be
empanelled for eighteen months. Grand jurors appear at the direction of the U.S.
Attorney once they are empanelled, usually on a Thursday or Friday. After they are
selected, Grand jurors call into a voice mail system after 9 a.m. each Wednesday to
determine if they must report that week. |
| PAYMENT |
Grand jurors will be paid $40 per day
for each day of attendance, plus 55 cents per mile to and from the courthouse and
reasonable parking expenses. Full time federal government employees will not be paid
an attendance fee, but will be reimbursed for mileage and parking. Grand Jurors are
paid on a monthly basis. |
| PROOF OF ATTENDANCE |
If your employer will
require a certificate of attendance after you have been selected, the grand jury
foreperson will be able to issue one. If you employer has its' own attendance
certificate which you must return to your payroll officer, bring it to a jury clerk or the
jury administrator for signature and the official seal of the court. |
