What does it mean to be the target of a grand jury investigation?
A grand jury is a secret, investigative arm of the prosecution. It serves to gather information requested by the prosecutor and considers only the testimony and evidence provided by the prosecutor. An accused has no “right to counsel” before the grand jury, but may be able to invoke the right to remain silent. The grand jury ultimately decides whether a charge, in the form of a criminal indictment, should be filed in court by the prosecutor. The prosecutor, as “advisor” to the grand jury, is the person who, as a practical matter, controls the grand jury’s evidence gathering and decisions. If you are called as a witness before the grand jury, you may be a target of a criminal investigation. You should contact a lawyer immediately to tell you how to proceed and protect your rights before the grand jury. Do I have to have a lawyer? A lawyer is not required in any legal proceeding, but it would be certainly be in your best interest to have someone who is trained and experienced in the nuan
