What is the composition and function of the grand jury?
The grand jury, as established by Ohio law, is a body of nine (9) regular and five (5) alternate jurors who meet periodically to inquire into the commission of serious crimes committed within the county. A foreperson and alternate foreperson is selected to facilitate discussions, record votes, and sign the grand jury report filed with Seneca County Common Pleas Court. By law, the grand jury meets in secret; and as a public body, grand jury sessions are expressly exempt from the Ohio Open Meetings Act. This exemption is established in law to protect the confidential nature of law enforcement criminal investigations and to protect the reputation of persons who may be suspects in criminal activity but are not charged with a crime because there is insufficient evidence to require these suspected persons to stand trial. The specific function of the grand jury is to inquire into criminal offenses committed within the county to determine whether or not a person should be charged with a felony
