What is the primary role of a grand jury?

The primary role of a grand jury is to hear testimony and examine evidence concerning criminal offenses. Grand juries are utilized in certain legal systems to assess whether there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against an individual. During this process, jurors listen to testimonies from witnesses and review evidence presented by the prosecution. This stage is critical because it serves as a preliminary check on the legal system, ensuring that not every accusation leads to an indictment without evidence to support it.

Different from a trial jury, which determines the guilt or innocence of a defendant based on the evidence presented during a trial, the grand jury operates primarily in the investigative phase of the justice process. It does not decide on the punishment or provide legal representation for defendants; instead, its focus is strictly on evaluating the evidence to see if there is probable cause to proceed with charges. This mechanism helps safeguard against unwarranted criminal charges.