Robert Mueller, the special counsel leading the federal Russia probe, has reportedly impaneled a grand jury to look into Kremlin interference in the 2016 presidential election.
The launch of a grand jury signals that the Justice Department’s investigation into Russian election meddling and possible collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin is “ramping up,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
It also signifies that Mueller may begin subpoenaing witnesses for documents or testimony, with Reuters reporting that subpoenas have already been issued in relation to the June 2016 meeting between members of the Trump family, Trump campaign representatives, and a Russian lawyer.
But what is a grand jury, and what do they do?
1) A grand jury is not a trial jury
Grand juries normally comprise of six to 23 jurors but generally more than 12 people are “impanelled,” according to the American Bar Association.
They also serve a distinct purpose: Grand jurors do not decide a question of guilt. Instead, they determine whether there is enough evidence to charge — or indict — the person at the center of the investigation with a crime.
In another twist, members of a grand jury may also ask witnesses questions, the Handbook For Federal Grand Jurors reads.
2) Grand juries have broad investigative powers
Most grand juries hear evidence only presented by a prosecutor, using subpoenas to gather documents, physical evidence, and witnesses to testify.
By impanelling a grand jury, “Bob Mueller has more powerful investigative tools at his disposal,” Sen. Jack Reed told MSNBC. The Rhode Island Democrat said even Senate inquiries do not have the same “means to compel as the grand jury does.”
3) Grand juries are held in secret
The other main difference between grand juries and those convened for regular trials is that they are conducted in secret.
The public, the news media, and even the person being investigated generally have no right to be present, under federal criminal procedure. The idea behind the cloak of secrecy is to allow witnesses to speak freely without fear of retaliation, again according to the ABA.
