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Grand Jury Practice The Big Ten “Ten Things You Need to Know” Robert Cline Morgan County Chief Deputy Prosecutor
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AGENDA Grand Jury Philosophy: Why and When to call a Grand Jury Practice Pointers: The Big Ten Questions Grand Jury Forms
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Grand Jury Practice Why and When to Call a Grand Jury I.Politically Sensitive Cases II.New Applications of Existing Laws New Laws I.Difficult Fact Patterns II.Motor Vehicle Fatalities Key: Establish Your Standards and Remain Consistent Over Time Political Reality: Grand Juries are sometimes viewed as a “tool of the Prosecutor”
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Grand Jury Practice Practice Pointers #1 Instruct the Grand Jury on Legal Terms and Procedure Grand Jury Statute: IC 35-34-2-1 et seq. Probable Cause Reasonable Doubt Elements of the Crimes Culpability Perjury Requires Materiality Standard Jury Instructions
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#2 Advise the Grand Jury That It’s Their Investigation But You Set the Boundaries Your Role: Legal Advisor Avoid Personal Feelings and Opinions Encourage Grand Jury Participation If They Indict, You Will Prosecute
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#3 Request the Target/Defense to Participate Request the Defense to Provide Witness List Subpoena All Defense Witnesses Encourage Target to Testify
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#4 Allow Grand Jury to Request Additional Investigation/Witnesses Set Aside Time for Additional Witnesses Utilize Lead Investigator to Follow Up Questions/Witnesses
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#5 Protect Identity of Targets/Witnesses Limit Public Comments on the Case Prepare Short Press Release if Necessary Remember You Want to Be Fair and to Seek the Truth
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#6 Record All Matters On The Record IC 35-34-2-3(d) Wurster v. State, 715 N.E.2d 341, 346-347
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#7 Unauthorized Persons Present and Participating in the Proceedings IC 35-34-2-4(c) Bowman v. State, 423 N.E.2d 605 (Ind. 1981) and Brown v. State, 434 N.E.2d 144 (Ind. App. 1982) Best Practice: Police Officers Not Allowed to be Present for Other Witnesses Testimony
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#8 Allow Grand Jury to Ask Questions IC 35-34-2-2(a) Wurster v. State, 715 N.E.2d 341
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#9 You Must Identify Each Target and Each Offense on the Record Before Deliberation
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#10 Target’s Rights and Target Subpoenas IC 35-34-2-5 and 35-34-2-5.5 Must Advise that He is a “Target” and Provide a Statement of the General nature of the Grand Jury Inquiry Right to Counsel Right to Have Counsel Present During Grand Jury Questioning
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