Lawyers - a Grand Jury Question

wrysmyguy

Is GJ is different in NJ from say Chicago, PA or NY? I know it is TV but on Law and Order and The Good Wife, the GJ process is totally different from what I see once a week. It also seems to me that the Sandusky GJ  was handled differently. We *never* hear from witnesses or the people involved -- only from police officers, detectives and invesigators who tell us that happened to the people involved. Maybe Federal is different?

MrsW101109

Not a lawyer... But I was on a grand jury in Passaic county 2 years ago. I saw plenty of witnesses and victims testify. It wasn't all just police. Depends on the type of case.

wrysmyguy

MrsW101109:

Not a lawyer... But I was on a grand jury in Passaic county 2 years ago. I saw plenty of witnesses and victims testify. It wasn't all just police. Depends on the type of case.

 

Thanks. Hummm. Been at it for 3 month and never once have I heard a witness. We have done all kinds of cases - major fraud, drugs, shoplifting, attempted murder, sexual assault, terroristic threats  - you name it.

Kristen81603

are you in local grand jury or state grand jury-  I was on state grand jury in trenton and I heard witnesses, the accused, the officers etc. IT depended on the case we were hearing. We heard a lot of fraud. 

Liz051405

Many states don't even have a GJ. Anyway, according to MH they are different.

Eta: my husband has brought civilian witnesses in but generally he only needs the police (who are also technically witnesses just not eye witnesses generally) . Since all you are trying to proof is that there is enough evidence to make out a case you don't need to present every single thing you would need to present in a trial.

hookersbabe

when presenting a case to the grand jury, the prosecutor wants to get the indictment while presenting as little evidence as possible...if the police officer can present primary evidence, then there is no need to call in the "lay" witness and put them through that process...the defense will eventually get the list of witnesses and be able to prepare for them, but depending upon the kind of case that you're listening to, it could be in the prosecutions best interest to delay having to disclose their witness list for as long as possible.

~LisaD~

OMG that grand jury last night on TGW was ridiculous.  The way they all started yelling stuff out at the end . . . . I almost felt bad for Wendy Scott Carr which is very difficult since I HATE her!  That would never happen.