Legal Definitions - accusing jury

An accusing jury is another name for a grand jury. It is a group of citizens convened to hear evidence presented by a prosecutor and determine whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that a particular person or persons committed it. If the accusing jury finds sufficient evidence, it will issue an indictment (also known as a "true bill"), which is a formal accusation that allows the case to proceed to trial.

The term "accusing jury" highlights its primary function: to decide whether to formally accuse someone of a crime, rather than to determine guilt or innocence (which is the role of a trial jury, or "petit jury").

• Example 1: Public Corruption Investigation

  A district attorney's office has been investigating allegations that several city council members accepted bribes in exchange for approving a lucrative zoning change. Before they can formally charge the council members, the prosecutors present their evidence—including financial records, witness testimonies, and intercepted communications—to an accusing jury. The jury listens to the evidence and, if they find it compelling enough to establish probable cause, they will issue an indictment, formally accusing the council members of corruption and allowing the case to move forward to a criminal trial.

• Example 2: Complex Financial Fraud

  Federal investigators uncover a sophisticated scheme involving multiple individuals who allegedly defrauded investors out of millions of dollars through a shell corporation. Due to the complexity and the number of potential defendants, the U.S. Attorney's office convenes an accusing jury. Over several weeks, the prosecutors present detailed financial analyses, expert testimony, and victim statements. The accusing jury's role is to evaluate this extensive evidence to decide if there's enough reason to believe the alleged fraudsters committed the crimes, thereby authorizing formal charges to be brought against them.

• Example 3: Serious Violent Crime

  Following a lengthy investigation into a homicide, police arrest a suspect. Before the suspect can be tried, the prosecutor must present the evidence—such as forensic reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage—to an accusing jury. This jury will then decide if the evidence meets the probable cause standard to formally charge the suspect with murder. If they agree, they will issue an indictment, which is the formal accusation that permits the case to proceed to a trial where the suspect's guilt or innocence will be determined by a different jury.