What is the role of a grand jury?

The role of a grand jury is fundamentally to review evidence and decide whether there is enough justification to formally charge an individual with a crime. This process is an essential part of the legal system, as it acts as a preliminary check on prosecutorial power. The grand jury does not decide the guilt or innocence of a defendant; that responsibility lies with a trial jury in a subsequent legal proceeding.

The grand jury's function is not to conduct trials, which differentiates it from courts where legal proceedings and trials for felonies take place. Additionally, the grand jury is not involved in sentencing; this is reserved for judges following a conviction in a trial. Hence, its primary role is pivotal in ensuring that there is sufficient evidence before someone is formally accused, helping to protect individuals from unwarranted prosecution.