grand jury

noun

1. a jury, at common law, of 12 to 23 persons, designated to inquire into alleged violations of the law in order to ascertain whether the evidence is sufficient to warrant trial.

grand jury

noun

1. law (esp in the US and, now rarely, in Canada) a jury of between 12 and 23 persons summoned to inquire into accusations of crime and ascertain whether the evidence is adequate to found an indictment. Abolished in Britain in 1948 Compare petit jury

grand jury

1. A jury that decides whether the evidence warrants bringing an accused person to trial. Once indicted ( see indictment ) by a grand jury, a person must stand trial.

Word History and Origins

Origin of grand jury¹

First recorded in 1490–1500, grand jury is from Anglo-French graund juree

Example Sentences

In March 2021, a federal grand jury indicted Gaulden, accusing the musician of possessing an unregistered firearm and “possession of firearms by a convicted felon” in connection to a 2020 case.

From Los Angeles Times

Over a year after a violent incident outside a Lancaster WinCo was caught on video, Deputy Trevor Kirk has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

From Los Angeles Times

The sheriff’s and police departments shared license plate information and perhaps even more sensitive materials with out-of-state agencies, against state privacy protocols, Sacramento County’s grand jury says.

From Los Angeles Times

“He was pursued because Trump did not like him. But in the end, a grand jury would not indict him,” Bromwich said.

From Los Angeles Times

The pair was arrested after a federal grand jury indicted them last week for six counts of felony mail fraud, one count of using unauthorized access devices and one count of aggravated identify theft.

From Los Angeles Times