Prosecutors can use grand juries to start criminal proceedings against targets. Grand juries bear some similarity to trial, but are really entirely different animals.
Why Prosecutors Choose Grand Juries Instead of Preliminary Hearings
The grand jury process is prosecutor-friendly.
Testifying Before a Grand Jury
Refusing to comply with a grand jury subpoena can land you in jail. Learn what rights and privileges grand jury witnesses have, including 5th Amendment rights.
Do Prosecutors Have to Present Evidence That Helps the Defendant to a Grand Jury?
In many states, when prosecutors initiate a case through the use of a grand jury, they have to present evidence that is helpful to the accused.