Grand Jury

A Defendant must be indicted by a grand jury for felony cases in Ohio. The grand jury decides whether there is probable cause to bring charges against you, even if you have already been arrested on these same charges. If the grand jury agrees with the charges, it issues an indictment or formal charge. If the grand jury finds probable cause that a crime occurred, they can indict on felony charges or amend the charge to a misdemeanor. A grand jury can ignore the charges as well. Grand Jury proceedings are secret in nature. The Defendant and his or her attorney are not present for this hearing, although there are exceptions.