What is the purpose of a Grand Jury in criminal cases?

The Grand Jury is comprised of local citizens selected randomly from the county.  The Grand Jury is tasked with determining if there is sufficient evidence under the law to move forward with an indictment in a criminal matter. The evidence before a Grand Jury will be presented by the District Attorney’s Office through witnesses, usually the officer who investigated the case from a local law enforcement agency such as the sheriff’s office or a municipal police department and other witnesses determined to be critical to the case. In these cases, the ultimate decision as to whether the case goes forward is determined solely by the Grand Jury. 

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1. What is the Augusta Judicial Circuit?
2. What is the relationship between the local law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney’s Office?
3. What is the purpose of a Grand Jury in criminal cases?
4. What happens at arraignment?
5. Can a victim drop charges or decide not to press charges?
6. If I get a subpoena, do I have to go to court?
7. I did not witness any crime but I got a subpoena. Why am I a witness?
8. I am afraid of the defendant. Will the defendant be present when I testify?
9. My employer is not happy that I’ll miss work when I have to go to court on my subpoena. Can I be fired?
10. As a victim, how do I find out the defendant’s next court date?
11. How do I report a crime?
12. How can I have my criminal record expunged?