How many people can serve on a grand jury?

How many people can serve on a grand jury?

• A. 8 to 12 people.
• B. 12 to 16 people.
• C. 16 to 23 people.
• D. 24 to 30 people.

Answer: (C)

Understanding grand jury size is about how many people are needed to review evidence and decide whether there is probable cause to indict. In U.S. practice, grand juries are larger than trial juries, and the standard range is 16 to 23 members. Federally, 23 is typical, with 16 as the minimum and 23 as the maximum in many jurisdictions. So the range that fits this practice and is commonly used is 16 to 23. The other options reflect smaller juries used for trials (8–12 or 12–16) or exceed typical grand jury limits (24–30), which is why they aren’t correct.

Understanding grand jury size is about how many people are needed to review evidence and decide whether there is probable cause to indict. In U.S. practice, grand juries are larger than trial juries, and the standard range is 16 to 23 members. Federally, 23 is typical, with 16 as the minimum and 23 as the maximum in many jurisdictions. So the range that fits this practice and is commonly used is 16 to 23. The other options reflect smaller juries used for trials (8–12 or 12–16) or exceed typical grand jury limits (24–30), which is why they aren’t correct.