A grand jury is a body of citizens assembled to review evidence the federal government has to support proceeding with criminal charges against an individual.
Only the grand jury members, a federal prosecutor, and witnesses are allowed to participate in a grand jury proceeding. The prosecutor calls witnesses and lays out all of the evidence against the accused.
After reviewing the prosecutor’s case, the grand jury votes to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support an indictment for a crime.
Although a witness may not have counsel present when testifying before a grand jury, a witness may consult with an attorney privately during the proceeding. A witness may seek counsel to protect his or her constitutional rights and prevent self-incrimination.