grand jury

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Explanation of "Grand Jury"

Definition: A grand jury is a group of people who are chosen to look into whether there is enough evidence to accuse someone of a crime. They do not decide if the person is guilty or innocent; instead, they decide if there is enough reason to bring the person to trial.

Usage Instructions

• Grand jury is a noun.
• It is used primarily in legal contexts, particularly in the United States.
• When talking about the legal system, you can say, "The grand jury will review the evidence."

Example

• "The grand jury met to discuss the evidence against the suspect."
• "After several weeks of investigation, the grand jury decided to indict the accused."

Advanced Usage

In legal discussions, you might hear phrases like: - "The grand jury issued an indictment after reviewing the testimonies." - "During the proceedings, the grand jury heard from several witnesses."

Word Variants

• Grand Jury Proceedings: The process in which the grand jury reviews evidence.
• Indictment: A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime, which a grand jury can issue.

Different Meanings

Grand jury typically has one meaning in legal contexts, but in informal discussions, it could refer to any group of people who are making a collective decision based on evidence or opinions.

Synonyms

• Investigating Jury: While not commonly used, this term can refer to a group examining evidence.
• Indicting Jury: Refers specifically to the jury that makes decisions about indictments.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "grand jury," you may encounter phrases like: - "To present evidence": This means to show proof or information to the grand jury. - "To be indicted": This means to be formally accused of a crime following a grand jury's decision.

Summary

A grand jury plays a crucial role in the legal process by determining if there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime.

Academic

Noun

1. a jury to inquire into accusations of crime and to evaluate the grounds for indictments