
Demystifying the Grand Jury
Wed, Jul 24
|Highlands
In this presentation, Judge Howell will discuss the history of the grand jury, its composition, charging and investigative functions, the different responsibilities of the court and prosecutor in the discharge of the grand jury’s duties, the rights of investigative targets, and more!


Time & Location
Jul 24, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Highlands, 348 S 5th St, Highlands, NC 28741, USA
About the Event
The criminal justice system in the United States rightfully draws much public scrutiny but Americans are least familiar with what happens behind the closed doors of the grand jury. This constitutionally-mandated body—independent of any branch of government—has a storied history, dating back to the Magna Carta, and is utilized today in some form in all states and the federal courts. While considered a protection and check against unjust prosecutions, skeptics contend the grand jury is a tool of the prosecution. In this presentation, Judge Howell will discuss the history of the grand jury, its composition, charging and investigative functions, the different responsibilities of the court and prosecutor in the discharge of the grand jury’s duties, the rights of investigative targets, and the role of secrecy in the grand jury’s operation, with a peek into often vital, intense and timesensitive issues occurring before the grand jury.