Which body decides whether there is sufficient evidence to bring a case to trial?

Which body decides whether there is sufficient evidence to bring a case to trial?

• A. Petit jury
• B. Grand jury
• C. Court of appeals
• D. Prosecutor

Answer: (B)

The decision about whether there is enough evidence to move a case to trial rests with the grand jury. In a grand jury proceeding, the prosecutor presents evidence and witnesses, and the jurors determine whether there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed and that the accused person committed it. If they find sufficient evidence, they issue an indictment, which allows the case to proceed to trial. The trial is then decided by a petit jury, which determines guilt or innocence, not whether the case should go forward. The court of appeals handles reviewing lower court decisions for legal errors, not the sufficiency of evidence to indict. The prosecutor oversees charging decisions, but the formal determination to bring someone to trial comes from the grand jury’s indictment.

The decision about whether there is enough evidence to move a case to trial rests with the grand jury. In a grand jury proceeding, the prosecutor presents evidence and witnesses, and the jurors determine whether there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed and that the accused person committed it. If they find sufficient evidence, they issue an indictment, which allows the case to proceed to trial. The trial is then decided by a petit jury, which determines guilt or innocence, not whether the case should go forward. The court of appeals handles reviewing lower court decisions for legal errors, not the sufficiency of evidence to indict. The prosecutor oversees charging decisions, but the formal determination to bring someone to trial comes from the grand jury’s indictment.