GRANDJURY
STATESUMMARIES
ALABAMA

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjuryisnotrecorded

Norecordingrequirement
DESCRIPTION
InAlabama,bothgrandjuryandpreliminaryhearingsareused.Alabamalawdoesnot
requirethatgrandjuryproceedingsberecorded.Someprosecutor’sofficeschosetohavea
stenographerpresent.Whengrandjuryisrecorded,thereisnorequirementthatthe
transcriptsbedisseminated.
ALASKA

Grandjuryused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed

Testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilianwitnesses

Alaskahasaproceduretoholdasecretgrandjury
DESCRIPTION
InAlaska,allfeloniesaretakentograndjuryunlessthedefendantwaivesgrandjury.The
proceedingsarerecordedbythecourtusingFortheRecord(FTR)software.Theentire
proceeding,exceptdeliberation,isrecorded.Thepartyrequestingthetranscriptwillhave
therecordingtranscribed.TheStateisobligatedtoturnovertheentiretranscript.
Transcriptsofthegrandjuryproceedingareconfidentialandarenotsubjecttopublic
recordsrequests.Ifthereisnoindictmentthentherecordingisnotdisclosedandisheld
bythecourtunderseal.
ARIZONA

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed


Defensemustrequest
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
InArizona,bothgrandjuryandpreliminaryhearingsmaybeused.Themajorityofcases
aretakentograndjury.Allproceedingsbeforethegrandjury,exceptdeliberations,are
recordedbyacourtreporter.ArizRCrimP12.8(a).Thedefensemustrequestacopyofthe
transcriptanduponrequest,thecourtprovidesacopy.Generally,onepoliceofficer
presentsalloftheevidenceforanentirecase.
ARKANSAS

Grandjurynotused

Preliminaryhearingsused
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryisnotusedinArkansas.Felonycasesarechargedbyinformationandtakentoa
preliminaryhearing.APulaskiCountyDeputyProsecutingAttorneyrecallsonlytwogrand
juriesinhis25yearcareer.Bothofthosegrandjurieswereempaneledtoinvestigate
governmentofficials.Inthoserarecases,thegrandjuryproceedingswererecorded. CALIFORNIA

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed


Publicrecordunlessthedefenserequestsotherwise
Testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilianwitnesses
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryandpreliminaryhearingsareusedinCalifornia.Californialawrequiresthat
grandjuryproceedingsberecordedandtranscribed.CalPenCode938(a)‐(b).Atthe
conclusionofgrandjurytestimony,thecourtreporterhastwoweekstoproducea
transcriptoftheproceedingtobefiledwiththecourt.Uponfilingthetranscriptwiththe
court,thetranscriptbecomespublicrecord.CalPenCode§938.1(a).Thedefensehas10
daystofileamotiontorequestthatthetranscriptbesealed.CalPenCode§938.1(b).Ifno
chargesarefiled,however,thetranscriptwillnotbepublicrecord.
COLORADO

Grandjuryrarelyused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed


Testifyingwitnesses:Statediscoverstestimony

Entiretranscript:disclosurenotrequired

Defensecanmovethecourttoreviewthegrandjurytranscriptfor
prosecutorialmisconduct.Courtthenreviewsthetranscriptincamera.
Testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilianwitnesses
DESCRIPTION
InColorado,notallfeloniesaretakentograndjury.Grandjuryisusedforcomplicated
casessuchasfinancialcrimes,gangcases,andcasesneedingsecrecyandtheabilityto
subpoenauncooperativewitnesses.Preliminaryhearingsareusedforallcasesfiledona
complaintorinformation.Grandjuryproceedingsarerecordedbyacourtreporterand
transcribed.TheStateisobligedtoturnoverthetestimonyoftestifyingwitnesses.The
Defensemayfileamotionforthecourttoreviewthegrandjurytranscriptfor
prosecutorialmisconduct.Thecourtwillthenreviewthetranscriptincameratodetermine
iftheentiretranscriptshouldbereleased.Defendantsmustreviewthetranscriptwith
counsel.Defendantsarenotgiventheirowncopies.Ifthereisnoindictment,the
transcriptsarenotdisclosed.
CONNECTICUT

Grandjurynotused

Preliminaryhearingsused
DESCRIPTION
WhileConnecticutstatutesprovidethatgrandjuryshallberecorded,grandjuryisnotused
inConnecticut.GrandjuryhasnotbeenusedinConnecticutsince1983.InConnecticut,
casesareinitiatedbypoliceofficers.Officerspresentwarrantstojudgesandifthewarrant
issigned,thedefendantisarrested.Thecourtthengeneratestheinitialcharging
instrument.TheState’sAttorneywillcreateafinalizedcharginginstrumentthatwillbe
usedduringnegotiationsandintrial.
DELAWARE

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjurynotrecorded

Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryandpreliminaryhearingsareusedinDelaware.Felonycasesarefirstsenttoa
preliminaryhearing.Ifprobablecauseisfound,thecaseissetforgrandjury.Grandjury
proceedingsarenotrecorded.Delawarelawprovidesthatgrandjuryproceedingsmaybe
recorded,butonlywithcourtapproval.DelSuperCtCrimR6(e)(1).Testimonyineachcase
ispresentedbyasinglepoliceofficer.
FLORIDA

Grandjuryrarelyused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjuryisrecorded

Transcriptsorrecordingsrarelydisclosed,andonlypursuanttocourtorder
DESCRIPTION
InFlorida,themajorityofcasesarefiledbyinformationonly.Anestimated98%ofcases
areindictedbyinformation,withtheremaining2%ofcasesindictedbyagrandjury
proceeding.Examplesofcasestypicallypresentedtoagrandjuryforindictmentinclude:
homicide,policeshooting,orpubliccorruption.Theproceedingsaresecret.Arecordingor
transcriptisonlydisclosedbyorderofthecourt.FlaStat905.27(2014).
GEORGIA

Grandjuryisused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjurynotrecorded


Notrequiredbutmayrecordinsomesituations
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
InGeorgia,bothgrandjuryandpreliminaryhearingsareused.Bystatute,somelower‐
levelfeloniesmaybeissuedbyinformation.Inthosecases,apreliminaryhearingisheld.
Allotherfeloniesaretakentograndjury.Recordationrequirementsarebasedonthesize
ofthecounty.Astenographerisauthorizedtobepresentduringgrandjuryproceedingsin
countieswithapopulationof150,000ormore.Incountieswithapopulationof200,000or
morearecordingdevicecanbeusedinlieuofastenographer.OCGA15‐12‐83.Insmaller
counties,evenifaDistrictAttorney’sofficewantstorecordgrandjury,theyarenot
permittedtodosobystatute.
HAWAII

Grandjuryrarelyused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptorrecordingdisclosed

Disclosureoccursthroughnormaldiscoveryprocess
DESCRIPTION
InHawaii,indictmentsaremostcommonlyobtainedthroughpreliminaryhearingsor
throughfilinganinformationoffelony.Whenused,grandjuryisrecordedbyacourt
reporter,andtherecordingortranscriptisalwaysturnedoveraspartofdiscovery.HawR
PenalPRule6(2015).Ingrandjury,aprosecutorpresentsevidencebutalawyeris
separatelyappointedtoadvisethegrandjuryonlegalissuesthatmayarise.
IDAHO

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed


Defenserequestsacopyofthetranscriptandtranscriptisdisclosed

Courtlimitsuse
Testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilianwitnesses
DESCRIPTION
InIdaho,felonycasescanbetakentograndjuryorpreliminaryhearings.Generally,cases
aretakentopreliminaryhearings.Caseswith“vulnerablevictims”aretakentograndjury.
Thesecasesincludesexcrimes,crimesagainstchildren,drugcrimesinvolvingconfidential
informantsorundercoverofficers,white‐collarcrime,anddeathpenaltycases.
ILLINOIS

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed


Transcriptprovidedatarraignment
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryandpreliminaryhearingsareusedinIllinois.Violentcasesareoftentakento
grandjurywhilenon‐violentcasesaretakentopreliminaryhearings.Illinoisstatutes
requirethatgrandjurytestimonyberecordedandtranscribed.725ILCS5/112‐7. All
grandjuryproceedingsarerecordedbyacourtreport,exceptdeliberations. Acopyofthe
transcribedtestimonyisprovidedtodefensecounselatarraignment.Testimonyineach
caseisgenerallypresentedbyasinglepoliceofficer.
INDIANA

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed


Transcriptprovidedwithprotectiveorder
Testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilianwitnesses
DESCRIPTION
NearlyallfelonycasesinIndianaarefiledbyInformation.Grandjuryisusedincertain
typesofcases,suchasofficer‐involvedshootingsandwhite‐collarcrime.Evidencemaybe
presentedbyalawenforcementcaseagentonly,butcivilianwitnessesregularlytestify.
Whengrandjuryisused,itisrecorded.Atranscriptionisprovidedtothedefensebut
protectiveordersareusedtolimittheuseanddisseminationofthetranscript.
IOWA

Grandjuryrarelyused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed


Transcriptprovidedatarraignment
Testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilianwitnesses
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryandpreliminaryhearingsareusedinIowa.Generally,onlysensitivecasesare
senttograndjury.Sensitivecasesincluderapecases,vehicularhomicides,andofficer‐
involvedshootings.ThemajorityofcasesarefiledbyInformationandtakentopreliminary
hearings.Whengrandjuryisused,testimonyisrecordedelectronically.Testimonyis
transcribedwhentheindictmentisfiledandthetranscriptisprovidedtodefensecounsel
atarraignment.
KANSAS

Grandjuryrarelyused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Whenused,grandjuryrecorded
DESCRIPTION
NearlyallfelonycasesinKansasarefiledbycomplaintandtakentoapreliminaryhearing.
InKansas,grandjuryisacitizen‐driveninvestigativetool.Citizensmaypetitiontoempanel
agrandjury.Inordertodoso,thesamepercentageofcitizenswhovotedinthelast
presidentialelectionmustagreetoempanelthegrandjury.Thecitizengrandjurycan
requestthataDistrictAttorneybepresentandtheDistrictAttorneyhasarighttobe
presentforthepresentationofevidence.Thesegrandjuriesarerecorded.
KENTUCKY

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingmaybeused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed

Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
InKentucky,felonycasesaretakentoagrandjuryandtheproceedingsarerecorded.
RecordingsareretainedbyattorneyfortheCommonwealth.KyRCrRule5.16(1).Failure
tohavearecordmadeisgroundsfordismissaloftheindictment,unlessthe
Commonwealthcanshowgoodcauseforthefailuretorecord.Inpractice,alltestimonyis
presentedbyasinglelawenforcementofficerresponsibleforpresentingthecasetothe
grandjurors.Bystatute,onlytestimonyisrecorded,anditmaybepreservedbyeither
audiorecordingorthroughastenographer.KyRCrRule5.16(3).Defendantscanobtain
thetranscriptoracopyoftherecordingofthegrandjurybyrequestingitfromthe
CommonwealthAttorney’sOffice.
LOUISIANA

Grandjuryrarelyused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjurynotrecorded


Mayrecordonlywithpermissionofthecourt
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
InLouisiana,approximately99%ofindictmentsareobtainedwhentheprosecutorfilesa
billofinformationwiththecourt.Grandjuryistypicallyonlyusedincaseswhichcould
resultinthedeathpenaltyorlifeimprisonment,includinghomicideandaggravatedrape.
Recordsofthegrandjuryproceedingarenotdiscoverableunlesstheycontaininformation
favorabletothedefendant.
MAINE

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjuryonlyrecordedinrarecircumstances

Transcriptdisclosedwhenorderedbycourt


Movingpartymustshowparticularizedneedfortranscript;inthe
alternative,judgehasdiscretiontoreleasetranscript
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryisusedinmostfelonycasesinMaine.Grandjuryisonlyrecordedwhenthe
courtfindsthatthedefendantortheState’sattorneyhasshowngoodcauseforthe
proceedingtoberecorded.MeRCrimP6.Thisrecordingisnotdisclosedunlessthecourt
findsthattheStateorthedefensehaveshownaparticularizedneedforthetranscript.
Evidenceisgenerallypresentedbyasinglepoliceofficer.
MARYLAND

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjuryrecorded


Recordingonlydiscloseduponcourtorder
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
InMaryland,allfeloniesarepresentedtograndjuryunlessthedefendantwaives
indictment.Allgrandjuryproceedingsarerecordedbyacourtreporter.TheStateretains
therecordingortranscriptandcannotdisclosewithoutcourtorder.MdCourtsandJudicial
ProceedingsCodeAnn8‐416(c)(2).Ifthedefensemovesforacopyofthetranscript,the
courtwillorderacopypreparedatthedefense’sexpense.Noshowingisrequiredforthe
defensetoobtainacopy.Thetranscriptisnotreleaseduntilthegrandjurywitnesstestifies
attrial.Typically,thesolewitnessatgrandjuryisasingleofficerwhoreadsthereportsat
grandjuryandthisofficerisnotinvolvedinthecaseinvestigation.
MASSACHUSETTS

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjuryrecorded

Disclosedautomatically


Statecanpetitionforprotectiveorderprohibitingdistributionof
transcript
Testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilianwitnesses
DESCRIPTION
InMassachusetts,allgrandjuryproceedingsarerecorded,automaticallytranscribed,and
discoveredaspartofthenormaldiscoveryprocess.Initially,defensecounselformally
requesteddiscoveryofthetranscript,butithasevolvedintoanautomaticpartof
discovery.MassachusettslawprovidesthattheStatemayrequestaprotectiveorder
prohibitingdefensecounselfromdisclosingthetranscriptsinviolentcaseswhena
showingismadethatthedefendantposesathreattoawitnessorvictim.ALMGLch277,
1(d).Ingrandjury,therulesofevidencedonotapply.ALMGEvid1101.Inpractice,all
majorwitnessestestify,butprocedureshavedevelopedtoprotectvulnerablevictims,
includingchildvictims.Livetestimonyofchildwitnessesisoftenreplacedwithtestimony
previouslyrecordedinaChildAdvocacyCenterrunbytheDistrictAttorney’sOfficeandthe
SexualAssaultInterventionNetwork.
MICHIGAN

Doesnotusegrandjury

Preliminaryhearingsused
DESCRIPTION
Michiganlawallowsforgrandjuryproceedings,butonlyifthestatepetitionsthecourtto
conveneagrandjuryandajudgeallowsit.Inpractice,allindictmentsareobtainedby
preliminaryexamination,arecordedproceedingheldinopencourt.Witnessesaresubject
tocross‐examination,andtheirswornstatementsareadmissibleinfutureproceedings.
MINNESOTA

Grandjuryrarelyused

Grandjuryrequiredonlyforhomicidecasesandcasesthatcarryapenaltyof
lifeimprisonment

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed
DESCRIPTION
InMinnesota,mostindictmentsareobtainedwhentheprosecutingattorneyfilesa
complaint,containingaswornaffidavitbythepoliceofficer.Grandjuryisonlyrequiredfor
alimitedrangeofcases,includinghomicidecasesandcasesthatcarryapenaltyoflife
imprisonment.Otherwisegrandjuryisusedattheprosecutor’sdiscretion.Forexample,
casesinvolvingpoliceofficeruseofforcewhichresultsindeath,ormisconductbyapublic
officialarefrequentlypresentedtothegrandjury.
MISSISSIPPI

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjuryrecorded

Caseagentstate

Evidencemostcommonlypresentedbylawenforcement.Civilianwitnesses
occasionallytestify
DESCRIPTION
InMississippi,allfelonycasesmustbeindictedbythegrandjury.Mississippilawprovides
thatacourtreportershallrecordallgrandjuryproceedingseitherstenographicallyorby
useofanelectronicrecordingdevice.MissCodeAnn13‐7‐25(2014).Inpractice,the
proceedingsarenotalwaysrecorded.Grandjurorsmaytakenotes,whicharesealedforsix
monthsandtheneitherreleasedtotheformerjurorordestroyed.Thenotesarenot
otherwisedisclosed.
MISSOURI

Grandjuryrarelyused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjuryrecorded

Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
ThemajorityoffelonycasesinMissouriaretakentoapreliminaryhearing.Grandjuryis
rarelyused.Whengrandjuryisused,itisrecordedandthetranscriptisdisclosed.Hearsay
isadmissibleandevidenceisgenerallypresentedbylawenforcementonly.Depositionsare
alsoavailableincriminalcasesinMissouri. MONTANA

Grandjuryrarelyused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptmaybedisclosed

Onlyiforderedorpermittedbythecourt
DESCRIPTION
InMontana,mostprosecutionscommencewhenaprosecutorrequestsleaveofthecourtto
fileaninformationoffelony.MCA46‐11‐101(3).Thatleaveisroutinelygranted.A
prosecutormaychoosetousegrandjuryasaninvestigativetool,butinpracticethisrarely
occurs.Statuteprovidesthatgrandjuryshallbepreservedbyeitherstenographerora
recordingdevice.Therecordingortranscriptshallbefiledwiththecourtwithin30days,
andthetranscriptcanbereleasedtotheprosecutionautomatically.MCA46‐11‐316.The
courtmayreleasetherecordingortranscripttothedefenseundercertainenumerated
circumstances.MCA46‐11‐317.
NEBRAKSA

Grandjuryrarelyused

Onlyusedforin‐custodydeathinvestigations

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptsnotdisclosed

Recordsaresealedandfiledwiththecourt;releaseduponcourtorder
DESCRIPTION
InNebraska,felonyprosecutionrarelycommenceswithgrandjury.Themajorityofcases
areindictedbypreliminaryhearing.UnderNebraskalaw,districtcourtsarevestedwith
thepowertocallgrandjuries,andtherearespecificprovisionsforgrandjury
investigationsofdeathincustodyorwhilebeingapprehendedbylawenforcement.RRS
Neb27‐1101,RRSNeb29‐1401.Whengrandjuryisused,acourtreporterispresentand
transcriptionsareretainedbythecourtunderseal.
NEVADA

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed


Filedwithcourtwithin10days,andthereafterarepublicrecordifnotsealed
Caseagentstate

Evidencemostcommonlypresentedbylawenforcement.Civilianwitnesses
occasionallytestify
DESCRIPTION
InNevada,grandjuryiscommonlyused.Preliminaryhearingscanbeutilized,butthe
grandjuryisusedinthemajorityofcases.The“caseagent”systemistheprimaryformof
presentationoftheevidence,inwhichonelawenforcementofficerpresentstheevidence,
butcivilianwitnessesarealsofrequentlycalledtotestify.Allproceedingsarerecorded,and
thetranscriptmustbefiledwiththecourtwithin10daysoftheproceeding.NevRevStat
Ann172.225.Transcriptsareimmediatelypublicrecordunlesssealedbycourtorder.
NEWHAMPSHIRE

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjuryrecordedinrarecircumstances


Ifgrandjuryisrecorded,itissealedbythejudge.Thestatemustpetitionthe
courttousethetranscriptorrecordingintrial.Ifthepetitionisgranted,the
materialbecomesdiscoverable,butisnotdiscloseduntiltrial
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
Grandjuryisusedinallfelonycriminalcasesunlessthedefendantwaivesindictment.
Generally,acaseagentsystemisusedandtestimonyispresentedbylawenforcementonly.
Somecountiesusetheprimaryofficerinthecaseasthecaseagent;othercountieshave
designatedofficerswhoactascaseagentsforallcases.Grandjuryisrecordedifcivilian
witnessesaretestifying,andwhenthegrandjuryproceedingispartofanongoingcriminal
investigation.Statuteallowsthegrandjuryproceedingtoberecordedand/ortranscribed
uponthemotionofthecourtortheAttorneyGeneral.NHSupCtRule52(2015).The
recordingissealedbythejudge,andthestatemustpetitionthecourttousethematerialin
trial.Ifthatpetitionisgranted,thetranscriptisalsoprovidedtothedefense.Statute
providesthat“[w]hereanyrecordofgrandjuryproceedingsisauthorized,theJustice
authorizingtherecordsshallmakeeveryefforttorecognizeandprotecttherightsand
physicalwell‐beingofwitnesseswhotestifybeforethegrandjury,byissuingprotective
orderswherenecessarytopreventharmtoawitnessbythedisclosureofhistestimony.”
NHSupCtRule52(3)(2015).
NEWJERSEY

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed


Releasedupondefendant’srequest
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
InNewJersey,allgrandjuryproceedingsareaudiorecordedandstoredinthecourt’s
computersystem.NJCourtRulesR3:6‐6.Thestatemaymoveforaprotectiveorder,which
coulddenydiscoveryofthetranscriptbasedonsafetyconcernsandotherfactors.NJCourt
RulesR3:13‐3(e).Typically,onlyonepoliceofficerpresentsevidenceoneachcase.Whena
defendantrequestsacopyoftheproceedingitisreleased.Thecostoftranscriptionispaid
bythedefense.
NEWMEXICO

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptorrecordingisdisclosed


Defendantmustfilerequestwiththecourt;routinelygranted
Testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilianwitnesses
DESCRIPTION
InNewMexico,theprosecutorcanchoosewhethertoindictbygrandjuryorpreliminary
hearing.Recordationoftheproceedingisrequired,anddefensecounselroutinelyobtains
thetranscriptorrecording.Itcouldbeconsideredmalpracticeifthatevidenceisnot
obtained.Courtstaffareinchargeofrecordation.Therulesofevidencedonotapplyto
grandjury,howeverNewMexicocaselawdiscouragespresentinganentirecasebyhearsay
alone,andvictimsusuallytestify.
NEWYORK

Grandjuryused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed

Testifyingwitnesses:Stateturnsovertestimony

Entiretranscript:disclosurenotrequired


Defensemayfileamotiontochallengethesufficiencyofthegrand
juryproceedings.Courtthenreviewstranscriptincamera.
Testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilianwitnesses
DESCRIPTION
InNewYork,allfelonycasesaretakentograndjury.Theproceedingsarerecordedbya
courtreporterandtranscribed.TheStateisobligatedtoturnoverthetestimonyof
testifyingwitnesses.TheDefensemayfileamotiontochallengethesufficiencyofthegrand
juryproceeding.Thecourtwillthenreviewthetranscriptincameratodeterminewhether
theentiretranscriptshouldbereleased.NYCLSCPL210.30,NYCLSCPL210.35.
Childwitnessesand“specialwitnesses”mayhavetheirtestimonypresentedthrougha
previouslyrecordedinterview.NYCLSCPL190.30(4).Theinterviewisconductedbya
professional,asdefinedbystatute.A“specialwitness”isanindividualwhoisphysicallyill
orincapacitatedorsomeone“whoislikelytosuffersevereemotionalormentalstressif
requiredtotestifyinperson.”NYCLSCPL190.32(1)(b).TheDistrictAttorneymustmake
anexparteapplicationtothecourtforanorderauthorizingthevideotapingofa“special
witness”tosubstitutelivetestimonyinthegrandjury.NYCLSCPL190.32(3).
NORTHCAROLINA

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Regulargrandjurynotrecorded


GrandjuryrequestedbyDistrictAttorneyrecorded
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
InNorthCarolina,grandjuryisusedinnearlyallfelonycases.Felonycasesgoto
preliminaryhearings.Ifprobablecauseisfoundatthepreliminaryhearing,thecaseisset
forgrandjury.Adefendantcanchoosetowaivegrandjuryanda“billofinformation”is
filed.Inthegeneralgrandjury,onlythegrandjurorsandwitnessesareallowedinthe
room.Prosecutorsareonlyintheroomwhenthegrandjuryhasalegalquestion.The
generalgrandjuryissecretandnotrecorded.NCGenStat15A‐623(d)‐(e).
NORTHDAKOTA

Grandjuryisnotused

Preliminaryhearingsused
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryisnotusedinNorthDakota.Casesarefiledbyinformationandthenproceedto
apreliminaryhearing.AState’sAttorneymayrequestthatagrandjurybecalledbutthe
consentofajudgeisrequired.NDCentCode29‐10.1‐02.Toconveneagrandjury,the
State’sattorneyisrequiredtogathersupportingsignaturesfromcitizens.Theamountof
signaturesmustbeequaltotwenty‐fivepercentofthetotalvotecastinthecountyforthe
lastgovernor’selectionbutcannotbefewerthantwohundredtwenty‐fivesignaturesnor
exceedfivethousand.NDCentCode29‐10.1‐02(3).
OHIO

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Regulargrandjuryrecorded


Transcriptreleasedonlyafterwitnesstestifiesandjudgedeterminesthat
grandjurytestimonywasdifferentthantrialtestimony
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryandpreliminaryhearingsareusedinOhio.Casesarefirsttakentoapreliminary
hearingatthemunicipalcourtlevel.Ifajudgefindsprobablecauseatthepreliminary
hearing,thecaseissetforgrandjuryatthecountylevel.Grandjuryisrecorded.Oneofficer
generallypresentsalltheevidenceforasinglecase.Priortotrial,thedefensewillfilea
motionforthegrandjurytranscript.Thetestimonyistranscribedandheldbythe
prosecutor.Afterthegrandjurywitnesstestifiesattrial,andattherequestofthedefense,
thejudgewillreviewthegrandjurytestimonyofthatwitnessincamera.Thejudgemay
releaserelevantportionsofthetestimonyforimpeachmentpurposesonly.Thetranscript
isreturnedtothecourtattheconclusionofthetestimony.
OKLAHOMA

Grandjurynotused

GrandjuryusedbyAttorneyGeneral’sOffice

Preliminaryhearingsused

Whenused,grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptsarereleasedtopartiesuponrequest


MustrequestandobtainpermissionfromCourtandAttorneyGeneral’s
Office
Whenused,testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilianwitnesses
DESCRIPTION
InOklahoma,mostfelonycasesarefiledbyinformationandproceedtopreliminary
hearings.Theprosecutor’sofficehastheabilitytoempanelagrandjurywithcounty
jurisdiction,butthisisnotdoneinpractice.
OREGON

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsgenerallynotused

Grandjurynotrecorded

Therulesofevidenceapplywithsomeexceptionsenumeratedbystatute
DESCRIPTION
InOregon,grandjuryisusedtoobtainthemajorityofindictments.Theseproceedingsare
notrecorded.Preliminaryhearingsareallowedbystatute,butarerarelyusedinpractice.
Therulesofevidenceapplytograndjuryproceedings,exceptasprovidedbystatute.ORS
132.320.
PENNSYLVANIA

Grandjuryrarelyused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed

Testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilianwitnesses
DESCRIPTION
InPennsylvania,grandjuryisusedinfrequently.Generallycasesarefiledbycomplaintand
thensetforpreliminaryhearing.Untilrecently,grandjuriesinPennsylvaniadidnothave
thepowertoindictfelonycasesandwereusedstrictlyasaninvestigativetool.Now,grand
juriescanindictcaseswhenthereareconcernsofwitnessintimidation.Whenused,grand
juryisrecorded.Pennsylvaniastatutesdonotrequiredisclosureuntilpriortothewitness’s
crossexaminationattrial.Inpractice,thetranscriptisfrequentlyprovidedaspartof
pretrialdiscovery.Whentherearewitnessintimidationconcerns,however,thetranscript
isnotprovideduntilthewitness’scrossexamination.
RHODEISLAND

GrandjuryusedbyAttorneyGeneral’sOffice

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptsdisclosed


Copyprovidedtothedefenseatthebailhearing
Testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilianwitnesses
DESCRIPTION
InRhodeIsland,felonycaseshandledbytheAttorneyGeneral’sofficeandaretakento
grandjury.Grandjuryisrecordedandtranscribed.RhodeIsland’srulesofcriminal
procedurespecificallyprovidethatdisclosureisnotpermitted.Anexceptiontothenon‐
disclosurerequirementisthatreleasemaybepermittedattherequestofthedefendant,
“uponashowingthatgroundsmayexistforamotiontodismisstheindictmentbecauseof
mattersoccurringbeforethegrandjury.”RISuperRCrimPRule6(3)(ii).TheRulegrants
thecourttheauthoritytorestricttheuseofthedisclosedmaterials.
SOUTHCAROLINA

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjurynotrecorded


State‐widegrandjuriesarerecorded,transcribed,andprovidedtothe
defense
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryandpreliminaryhearingsareusedinSouthCarolina.Feloniesaretakenfirstto
apreliminaryhearingandthentoacountygrandjury.Countygrandjuryproceedingsare
nolongerrecorded.Therecordationrequirementwasrepealedin1990.Theonlyrecords
keptpertainingtocountygrandjuryarethecasesheardandthevoteofthegrandjury.
TheAttorneyGeneralandChiefoftheSouthCarolinaLawEnforcementDivisionmay
petitiontheChiefAdministrativeJudgeforastate‐widegrandjury.SCCodeAnn14‐7‐
1630(B).Ifthepetitionisgranted,astate‐widegrandjurywillbeempaneled.State‐wide
grandjurytestimonyisrecordedandacopyisprovidedtothedefenseatthedefense’s
request.
SOUTHDAKOTA

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed


Defenserequestsacopyofthetranscriptandtranscriptisdisclosed
Testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilianwitnesses
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryisusedinSouthDakota.Allproceedingsareelectronicallyrecordedexceptfor
thedeliberationsofthegrandjurors.Evidencemaybepresentedbylawenforcementonly
butinpractice,civilianwitnessesoftentestifybeforethegrandjury.Thepartiesmay
requestacopyoftherecordingortranscriptandacopywillbeprovided.Whilethe
transcriptisavailabletotheparties,thetranscriptisconfidentialandnotsubjecttopublic
recordsrequests.
TENNESSEE

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Grandjurynotrecorded


Investigativegrandjuriesarerecorded,transcribed,andmaybedisclosedto
defense
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryandpreliminaryhearingsareusedinTennessee.Felonycasesareinitiallytaken
toapreliminaryhearing.Casesthenproceedtoaregulargrandjury.Regulargrandjuryis
notrecordedandnoprosecutorispresent.Thegrandjurymaysummonaprosecutorto
answeralegalquestion.
Tennesseealsohastheoptiontoempanelinvestigativegrandjuries.Theprosecutormust
fileapetitionwiththecourtandthecourtwilldeterminewhetheraninvestigativegrand
jurymaybeempaneled.Theseproceedingsarerecordedandtranscribed.Thetranscripts
maybeavailabletothedefenseafterthedefensefilesamotion“showinggroundsexistfor
amotiontodismisstheindictmentbecauseofmattersoccurringbeforethegrandjury.”
TennCodeAnn40‐12‐208(c).
TEXAS

Grandjuryused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed


Defenserequestsacopyofthetranscriptandtranscriptisdisclosed
Testimonypresentedbypoliceofficersandcivilians
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryisusedandrecordedinTexas.Onlythetestimonyofwitnessesisrecordedand
transcribed.Thetranscriptissecretandmaintainedbythecourt.Thetranscriptmaybe
availableundercourtorder.Toobtainacopy,thedefensemustfileamotionwiththecourt
andtheState.The“courtmayorderdisclosureoftheinformation,recording,or
transcriptiononashowingbythedefendantofaparticularizedneed.”TexCodeCrimProc,
art20.02(d).Partieswillthenappearandpresentarguments“forthecontinuationorend
totherequirementofsecrecy.”TexCodeCrimProc,art20.02(e).
UTAH

Grandjurynotused

Preliminaryhearingsused
DESCRIPTION
WhileUtahstatutesprovidethatallgrandjuryproceedings,exceptfordeliberation,shall
berecorded,grandjuryisnotusedinUtah.Casesarefiledbyinformationandsetfora
preliminaryhearing.Agrandjurymaybesummonedifapanelofjudges“findsgoodcause
tobelieveagrandjuryisnecessary.”UtahCodeAnn77‐10a‐2(2014).
VERMONT

Grandjurynotused

Preliminaryhearingsused
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryisnotusedinVermont.Felonycasesaretakentoapreliminaryhearing.Rules
regardinggrandjury,however,arepresentintheVermontRulesofCriminalProcedure.
Therulestatesthat“allproceedingsmustberecorded”andthat“theprosecutingattorney
willretaincontroloftherecording,thereporter'snotes,andanytranscriptpreparedfrom
thosenotes.”VRCrPRule6(2015).
VIRGINIA

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Regulargrandjurynotrecorded

Specialgrandjuriesandmulti‐countygrandjuriesarerecordedwhen
summoned


Transcriptcanbeprovidedaftermotionisfiled
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryandpreliminaryhearingsareusedinVirginia.Casesarefirsttakentoa
preliminaryhearing.Ifajudgefindsprobablecauseatthepreliminaryhearing,thecaseis
setforgrandjury.Grandjuryisnotrecorded.Oneofficergenerallypresentsallthe
evidenceforasinglecaseandnorepresentativefromtheStateispresent.Thegrandjurors
cansummonaState’sattorneytoresolveaquestionoflaw.
Virginiaalsohasspecialgrandjuriesandmulti‐countygrandjuriesthatcanbeempaneled
whenspecificallyrequestedbyajudge,aprosecutor,orbytheregulargrandjury.These
proceedingsarerecordedandthetranscriptissealedwiththecourt.Acopyofthe
transcriptcanberequestedbydefenseandwillbeprovided“ifitappearsthatthe
permissionisconsistentwiththeendsofjusticeandisnecessarytoreasonablyinformsuch
personofthenatureoftheevidencetobepresentedagainsthim,ortoadequatelyprepare
hisdefense.” WASHINGTON

Grandjurynotused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused
DESCRIPTION
NeithergrandjurynorpreliminaryhearingsareusedinWashington.Tofilecharges,the
StatefilesaCertificationforDeterminationofProbableCause.Thisdocumentisprepared
byadetectiveandreviewedbytheprosecutor.TheStatewillalsofileacharging
instrumentandrequestedbailamount.AjudgewillthenreviewtheCertificationfor
DeterminationofProbableCause.Ifthejudgefindsthatthereisprobablecause,awarrant
isissuedforthedefendant’sarrest.
WESTVIRGINIA

Grandjuryused

Preliminaryhearingsnotused

Grandjuryrecorded

Transcriptdisclosed


Defenserequestsacopyofthetranscriptandtranscriptisdisclosed
Caseagentstate

Evidencepresentedbylawenforcement
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryisusedinWestVirginia.Allproceedingsarerecordedexceptforthe
deliberationsofthegrandjurors.Evidenceispresentedbypoliceofficersonly.Generally
oneofficertestifiestoalltheevidenceinthecase.Aftertheevidenceispresented,the
recordedissealedandfiledwiththecourt.Defensecounselthenrequestsacopyofthe
transcriptanditisprovided.Althoughacopyisprovidedtothedefense,thetranscriptis
stillconfidentialandneversubjecttopublicrecordsrequests.
WISCONSIN

Grandjurynotused

Preliminaryhearingsused

Caseagentpreliminaryhearing‐evidenceispresentedbylawenforcement
only
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryisnotusedinWisconsin.Everyfelonycaseisfiledbyacomplaintandscheduled
forapreliminaryhearing.Hearsayisadmissibleandvictimsarenotrequiredtotestify.
Generallyoneofficertestifiestoallevidenceinthecaseatthepreliminaryhearing.
WYOMING

Grandjurynotused

Preliminaryhearingsused
DESCRIPTION
GrandjuryisnotusedinWyoming.FelonycasesinWyomingaretakentoapreliminary
hearing.Rulesregardinggrandjury,however,arepresentintheWyomingRulesof
CriminalProcedure.Inordertoempanelagrandjury,thegrandjurymustbesummoned
byadistrictjudge.Therulestatesthatgrandjury“shallberecorded”andthenotesor
transcripts“shallremaininthecustodyorcontroloftheattorneyforthestateunless
otherwiseorderedbythecourtinaparticularcase.”WRCrP,Rule6.