Legal Definitions - extraordinary grand jury

An extraordinary grand jury, sometimes referred to as a special grand jury, is a group of citizens assembled for a specific, often complex or sensitive investigation that goes beyond the typical duties of a regular grand jury. Unlike a standard grand jury that hears a variety of cases over a set term, an extraordinary grand jury is usually convened by a judge or prosecutor to focus on particular allegations, such as widespread public corruption, organized crime, or other matters of significant public interest that require an extended or specialized inquiry. Its purpose is to gather evidence and determine if there is sufficient probable cause to bring criminal charges against individuals involved in these specific matters.

Here are some examples of when an extraordinary grand jury might be convened:

• Investigating Widespread Public Corruption: Imagine a state's Attorney General receives credible information suggesting a systematic scheme of bribery and kickbacks within a municipal building permits department, involving multiple city officials and private contractors over several years. This type of investigation is too extensive and intricate for a regular grand jury, which handles a rotating caseload.

  This situation would likely lead to the convening of an extraordinary grand jury. Its specific mandate would be to meticulously investigate these bribery allegations, allowing it to subpoena numerous documents, interview many witnesses, and dedicate its full attention to uncovering the intricate web of corruption. The goal would be to determine if there is enough evidence to issue indictments against those involved in the scheme.

• Targeting Organized Crime Syndicates: Federal prosecutors uncover evidence suggesting a sophisticated organized crime syndicate has infiltrated several legitimate businesses in a major city, engaging in racketeering, money laundering, and extortion across different sectors. Unraveling such a complex criminal enterprise requires a focused and prolonged effort.

  An extraordinary grand jury would be empaneled to meticulously examine the financial records, witness testimonies, and other evidence related to the alleged criminal enterprise. Its focused mandate would allow it to delve deeply into the complex financial transactions and hierarchical structure of the syndicate, leading to potential indictments against its leaders and members without being distracted by unrelated cases.

• Examining Major Environmental Crimes and Cover-ups: A large industrial corporation is suspected of systematically dumping toxic waste into a protected waterway for decades, causing significant environmental damage and health issues for nearby communities. There are also allegations of high-level executives orchestrating a cover-up to conceal these illegal activities.

  In this scenario, an extraordinary grand jury could be called to investigate the corporation's practices. It would review internal documents, hear testimony from whistleblowers and environmental experts, and determine if there is enough evidence to charge executives or the company itself with environmental crimes and obstruction of justice. The specialized and sensitive nature of the investigation, combined with the potential for corporate malfeasance, warrants a dedicated body.