• Provide a 50-state survey of existing practices regarding Grand Jury Procedures, including those relating to disclosure of information from such processes.
• Identify model practices.
• Develop resources to inform relevant stakeholder groups about the survey results as well model practices.
• Examine levels of understanding, identify community concerns and Increase community awareness and understanding of the grand jury process.
January-June 2022: Developed the national state survey on grand jury practices.
July -December 2022: APA created and edited the grand jury surveys intended to be sent to prosecutors across the country to better understand grand jury law and practices with the goal to develop model practice and protocols. The surveys were broken into 3 categories: Use of grand juries in all cases, grand juries used for specific cases, and jurisdictions who do not use grand juries. After creating the surveys, feedback was sought from prosecutors and other JFA partners to ensure the efficiency of the survey to yield the most results. APA also created a dissemination plan with specific surveys being sent depending on how each jurisdiction handles grand juries. The surveys will be sent out in January 2023. Check- ins with Judge O'Connell to give updates and provide additional TA as needed.
January - June 2023: Survey has been distributed to all jurisdictions. There are some jurisdictions that did not respond to the survey, so extra efforts for outreach had to be made. The data has been aggregated and is now being analyzed.
July-Dec. 2023: Building on the research into state practices, APA has diligently worked towards
the development of a comprehensive grand jury final paper. This document will
serve as a valuable resource for prosecutors, offering insights,
recommendations, and best practices to optimize the functioning of grand juries
Jan-June 2024: twenty page report is forthcoming September 2024.
July-Dec. 2024: The grand jury report is set to be completed in early 2025 with a final draft completed. This report examines the diverse approaches taken by state prosecutor offices across the United States in utilizing grand juries, focusing on the implications for procedural fairness and effective case management. Grand juries play a crucial role in the American criminal justice system, yet their operational frameworks and practices vary significantly among states. This study aims to identify model practices that enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency within the grand jury process.
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