Grand Jury

A grand jury serves a very special function in Florida’s criminal courts.

A grand jury decides whether evidence is strong enough to hold a suspect for trial, and if so, issues an indictment charging the suspect with a specific crime.

Members of a grand jury are not permitted to discuss any of the proceedings of the grand jury, as proceedings of the grand jury are confidential.

The grand jury consists of between 15 and 21 persons. A member of a grand jury generally serves for six months, but their service period may be extended an additional 90 days, but only for the purpose of concluding one or more specified investigative matters initiated during their original term. The grand jury will not be in continuous session, but rather, will be called in as needed.