Opinion ID: 2017264
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: informing the witness of the privilege.

Text: Due regard for the privilege against self-incrimination requires that each person appearing before the grand jury, after being sworn, but prior to any questioning, be advised of the privilege and instructed that he may claim it at any point in the proceeding if he determines that his answer may criminally implicate him. This warning must be given by the prosecutor, or in his absence, by the foreman of the grand jury. Only when the individual subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury is made aware of his right against self-incrimination may he then make the knowing and voluntary waiver of that right if he chooses to testify before the grand jury. Although a person standing charged by affidavit, [1] and who is subpoenaed for grand jury review of the same act, should have previously been advised of such right, repetition when liberty is at stake requires no further justification. In the case where the witness is himself the subject of the investigation and chooses to testify, a warning is also mandated, for the grand jury seeks from him the very evidence upon which it may return a true bill and thrust him into the role of an accused. Finally, we require that the warning be given even to the ordinary witness, for the grand jury of its own volition may at any point shift directions if it detects a violation of the criminal law of the state generally, and thus an ordinary witness may become the subject of the grand jury investigation.