Many federal criminal cases begin with an Assistant US Attorney (AUSA aka the prosecutor) presenting witnesses and evidence to a grand jury. After the grand jury reviews the evidence and testimony, they will vote whether an indictment should be issued. If they vote in the affirmative, the defendant will be indicted. That means that a person will be formally charged in federal court.

If you are a target or a witness and receive a subpoena to appear in front of a federal grand jury, you have a right to consult with, and bring, a federal criminal defense attorney with you. Although the attorney cannot enter the grand jury room with you, he or she can be outside the room and the witness can consult with that attorney as much as he or she wants.

Federal criminal defense attorney Joseph Simons explains the grand jury process in this video.

If you are facing a federal grand jury, feel free to call us at 781-797-0555 or find us at jbsimonslaw.com.