If you’re under investigation for a white collar offense, sooner or later your case may head to a grand jury. A grand jury is a group of citizens who are tasked with reviewing evidence in a potential criminal case and decide if there’s enough “probable cause” to believe that a crime has been committed.
They do not decide your innocence or guilt. They decide whether the government has enough evidence to formally indict you (charge you with a crime).
What are the possible outcomes of a grand jury meeting?
You need to be prepared for a long process. A grand jury typically meets in secret to protect both the integrity of the process and those involved from any kind of intimidation. It can take weeks or months for a grand jury to conclude its investigation because the jurors may review mountains of evidence and listen to witness testimony.
Once they are done, the grand jury will return one of two outcomes:
- True bill: This means that the jurors believe that there is enough evidence to support criminal charges, and you will be indicted. The case will then proceed through the normal court processes.
- No bill: This means that the jurors do not believe there’s enough evidence to justify criminal charges, and the case will typically be shelved. However, it is possible the prosecutor may try again if new evidence surfaces.
It’s important to understand one thing about an indictment after a grand jury meets: The prosecutor basically controls what the grand jury sees and hears. The defense is given little or no ability to tell their side. An actual trial can – and often does – play out very differently. If you’re fearing an indictment or have already been indicted, it’s critical to seek experienced legal guidance and explore your defense options.
