U.S. State Grand Jury Reform

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The grand jury at the state level in the United States has had a troubled history. Although indictment by a grand jury is arguably required by the U.S. Constitution at the state level as well as at the federal level as a check on judicial and prosecutorial abuse, it has actually been eliminated in some states. Most grand juries are mere "rubber stamps" for prosecutors, but others become "runaway" grand juries, taking the lead in investigations of official corruption and abuse.

1. Virginia Grand Jury Handbook
2. Los Angeles County Grand Jury Handbook
3. Calaveras County Grand Jury — Material from a California county where extensive use has been made of the grand jury.

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