Can grand jurors ask questions?
The grand jurors have the power to ask questions or request documents, but they rarely do. If you every have the opportunity to sit on a grand jury, ask questions. Anyone who might serve on a grand jury. Anyone who might be accused of a crime.
Can a member of the jury ask questions?
In all jurisdictions, jurors can ask questions during deliberations, if there is something they are not clear on (usually they want to hear some piece of evidence again). Occasionally, the judge may permit the parties to argue their interpretation of the correct answer to the jury.
What are the secrecy rules for a grand jury?
Federal Criminal Rules protect the secrecy of grand jury testimony and documents utilized in grand jury investigations. As a general rule, once a person has testified before a federal grand jury, that testimony is regarded as secret, and the identity of the witness and his testimony is protected from general discovery.
Can jurors ask for clarification?
Typically, during deliberations in California, jurors can ask the court for clarification of certain instructions, ask to review portions of transcripts, and/or ask to take another look at exhibits admitted into evidence. Some say jurors also become that much more engaged.
Can grand jurors talk about the case?
No grand juror should discuss the cases under investigation with anyone, except fellow grand jurors and the United States . Attorney or the Assistant United States Attorney, and then only in the grand jury room. Of course, the grand jurors may always seek the advice of the judge.
How do you know if you have a secret indictment?
Check the nearest federal courthouse. The clerk’s office there should maintain all indictment records. There should be a terminal in the office where your attorney can search by suspect or party name. However, your lawyer should know enough about the process to surmise whether a sealed indictment is a possibility.
When can jurors ask questions?
Most judges will NOT allow a juror to ask witnesses questions. Of those that do, there is a specific procedure the judge will require to ask a question. Usually, if a juror has a question for a witness, the judge will instruct the juror to write the question down.
What happens if the jury has a question?
Procedure Determines Success of Jury Questions Questions that appear to appear bias or are argumentative can be reworded or discarded. However, it does give the judge an opportunity to review the importance of jurors remaining impartial until the trial is over.
Are grand jurors sworn to secrecy?
Traditionally, the grand jury has conducted its work in secret. Secrecy prevents those under scrutiny from fleeing or importuning the grand jurors, encourages full disclosure by witnesses, and protects the innocent from unwarranted prosecution, among other things.
Why do grand juries meet in secret?
The prosecutor presents all the evidence to a grand jury, which — instead of a judge — decides whether there is enough evidence to file charges and send the accused straight to a trial. Grand jury testimony is secret, so it can be an opportunity to get honest testimony about difficult subject matter.
Are jurors allowed to take notes?
Jurors are allowed to take notes when they are in court. The instruction goes on to say that at the conclusion of the trial, all juror notes will be destroyed. The judge will also give a caution that if you take notes, do not get so involved in note-taking that you become distracted from the proceeding.
Can the jury ask questions UK?
Absolutely not. The jury can ask questions of the judge via a note on questions regarding clarification of the law, procedure and so on. They cannot ask questions which ask for new evidence.