What is the difference between a Grand Jury and a Petit Jury?
A petit, or trial jury is generally 12 people sworn to try a criminal or civil case, hearing evidence and rendering a verdict. In some cases additional jurors can be chosen as alternates. Some types of cases may use a jury of six (6) people. A grand jury, so named because it is comprised of a greater number of people (16) than a petite jury, is sworn to hear evidence presented by the prosecution and determines if probable cause exists that a crime has been committed.
