Grand Jury

Mission & Purpose of the Grand Jury Unit

The Grand Jury Unit of the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office is dedicated to the efficient and thorough review of all allegations of potentially indictable criminal behavior in the County. The staff understands that their work and decisions will largely determine the course that each particular case will follow through the criminal justice system. Our goal, in every case that we review, is to have every police officer, citizen, witness and victim feel satisfied that their matter was handled promptly, fairly, impartially and professionally.

The Grand Jury Unit conducts all Case Intake Screening and collects and collates all relevant information for the case files. The unit also recommends all administrative actions to be taken. The unit handles all pre-indictment dispositions of cases, such as plea negotiations and pleas to accusations, along with any diversion referrals, such as the Pretrial Intervention (PTI) program. The Grand Jury Unit also reviews all indictable Citizen Complaints and all designated disorderly persons matters that involve a Public Official or Candidate for Public Office.

Once it is determined that a case will be presented to a Grand Jury, the unit handles all case preparations and witness interviews. When the case is presented to the Grand Jury Panel, the unit handles the case presentation and all aspects of the Grand Jury operations. The unit encompasses the Bail Reform Unit, which handles all First Appearances, Detention Hearings and other Pre-Trial Release matters.

Functions & Procedure of the Grand Jury Unit

The Grand Jury Legal staff is responsible for evaluation of the charges, recommendations for administrative actions, direct presentments and pre-indictment diversion referrals. They also prepare cases for grand jury presentation. In addition, a Victim/Witness Counselor handles requests for withdrawal of complaints from victims and maintains statistical records.

The attorneys may also enter into pre-indictment plea negotiations for selected cases and dispose of these cases through pleas to accusations. Attorneys interview witnesses and present all cases to one Grand Jury panel. Defendant's motions to dismiss indictments and pre-indictment suppression motions are briefed by staff attorneys and argued by them in court. Staff attorneys review all agency referrals for indictable charges, review requests for grand jury transcripts, and determine appropriateness of seeking superseding indictments.

Another staff member, a clerk typist, is responsible for the typing and distribution of all administrative dispositions and Promis Gavel data updating. The secretaries prepare briefs, motions, and other legal documents for filing, and also type correspondence, memos and other dictation from staff attorneys.

Grand Jury Coordinator

The Grand Jury Coordinator:

  • Schedules grand jury cases
  • Prepares calendars and subpoenas
  • Acts as specified contact for postponements and re-scheduling
  • Refers approved transcript requests to the Clerk of the Grand Jury
  • Prepares indictments and related documents

Stages of the Grand Jury Process

  1. Stage 1
  2. Stage 2
  3. Stage 3
  4. Stage 4
  5. Stage 5
  6. Stage 6

After docketing and computerizing the complaint, the newly created file is held in the Grand Jury Unit pending receipt of required initial information such as:

  • Arrest history
  • Hospital records
  • Laboratory reports
  • Police reports
  • Witness statements

Completed files and original investigations are reviewed by the legal staff to determine if more investigation is required prior to proceeding to stage two.