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Jury
A body of persons constituted to hear the proceedings of a trial and arrive at a verdict. A grand jury, which consists of up to 24 people, is seated to determine whether there is probable cause to hold accused defendants over for trial. Grand juries hear the prosecution's evidence and issue indictments against suspects if probable cause exists to establish that a crime has been committed and that the person accused likely committed it. Grand jury proceedings are closed to all parties other than the prosecution. Defendants and their attorneys are not present during grand jury proceedings. Petit juries, or trial juries, consist of 6 to 12 jurors convened to hear the facts of a case and issue an impartial verdict. Grand jurors are drawn ...