Legal Question in Criminal Law in New Jersey

Re: Sex offender - grand jury what does it mean

Grand Jury is a body of individuals who only hear evidence from the State and 66% must find that there is enough evidence to go forward with the charges.

Savy Grant

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Re: Sex offender - grand jury what does it mean

In New Jersey, in order to be prosecuted for the commission of a serious criminal offense evidence must be presented to a large jury of 23 people who decide by a majority vote of twelve whether to charge someone with such a charge and what the charges are. One is then entitled to be advised, in writing, of the nature of the charge by receiving a copy of the accusation of criminal conduct by the large jury. The written accusation made by the large jury is called an indictment and the indictment is delivered to the defendant's attorney in open court and on the record by the prosecutor in a procedure called an arraignment. After the arraignment there are a number of procedures which are observed leading to a trial before a small jury of twelve who decide by a unanimous vote whether the State has proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the person charged is guilty of the offenses the person is accused of committing. The large jury is called the grand jury and the small jury is called the petit jury. Being charged as a sex offender is being charged with the commission of a serious criminal offense.