What is the Grand Jury's role in the criminal process?

The Grand Jury's primary role in the criminal process is to decide whether to bring charges against a potential defendant. This investigative body reviews evidence presented by the prosecutor to determine if there is enough probable cause to formally charge an individual with a crime. The Grand Jury does not determine guilt or innocence; that is the role of a trial jury. Their function does not include issuing sentences, which is reserved for the courts after a conviction, nor do they assess the validity of laws. Instead, their objective is to protect citizens from unfounded criminal charges by ensuring that there is sufficient evidence before a case proceeds to trial.