What is the role of a grand jury?

The role of a grand jury is to decide whether to bring charges against a suspect. This process involves reviewing evidence presented by the prosecution and determining if there is enough probable cause to indict the suspect and proceed to trial. Grand juries are typically made up of a group of citizens who hear evidence and testimonies but do not determine guilt or innocence; that is the role of a trial jury. Unlike a trial jury, a grand jury does not conduct trials or evaluate evidence in the context of guilty or innocent claims. Grand juries serve as a preliminary check on prosecutorial power and help ensure that charges are only brought when there is sufficient evidence to support them.