A grand jury deals with criminal matters. The grand jury does not determine guilt or innocence, but only whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime was committed and that a specific person or persons committed it. If the grand jury has nine votes that probable cause exists, then the foreperson will present a formal charging document, called an “Indictment” to the District Clerk. After that, the District Clerk will formally file the case in a court where the case will be further evaluated and resolved through either a trial, a plea agreement, or a dismissal.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO SERVE ON A GRAND JURY?
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 19.08
General Qualifications for Grand Jury Service
A person may be selected or serve as a grand juror only if the person:
(1) is at least 18 years of age; (2) is a citizen of the United States; (3) is a resident of this state and of the county in which the person is to serve; (4) is qualified under the constitution and laws to vote in the county in which the grand jury is sitting, regardless of whether the person is registered to vote; (5) is of sound mind and good moral character; (6) is able to read and write; (7) has not been convicted of misdemeanor theft or felony; (8) is not under indictment or other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony; (9) is not related within the third degree of consanguinity or second degree of affinity, as determined under Chapter 573, Government Code, to any person selected to serve or serving on the same grand jury; (10) has not served as a grand juror in the year before the date on which the term of court for which the person has been selected as grand juror begins; and (11) is not a complainant in any matter to be heard by the grand jury during the term of court for which the person has been selected as a grand juror.
