grand jury

noun

: a jury that examines accusations against persons charged with crime and if the evidence warrants makes formal charges on which the accused persons are later tried

grand juror noun

Examples of grand jury in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Five of the suspects were originally charged with felony murder, but in September, a grand jury elevated the charges to capital murder. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Last year, a grand jury indicted Matthew Concannon and Anthony Chavez on manslaughter charges in Mitchell’s death. —James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024

Chao and Moore were also the subject of controversy last year when an independent investigation and report by a civil grand jury accused the two of poor treatment towards city staff and bypassing councilmember protocols. —Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 15 Dec. 2024

Meanwhile, a New York grand jury has begun hearing evidence in the case, news outlets reported. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

grand jury

noun

: a jury that chiefly examines accusations of crime made against persons and if the evidence warrants makes formal charges on which the accused persons are later tried

Legal Definition

grand jury

noun

: a jury that examines accusations against persons charged with crime and if the evidence warrants makes formal charges on which the accused persons are later tried see also no bill and true bill at bill sense 3b, indictment compare petit jury, special grand jury