Supreme Court orders grand jury rule change in Pennsylvania
June 26, 2012
Pennsylvania: After a nineteen year hiatus, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has re-established the ability of state District Attorneys to convene grand juries to bring forth criminal indictments. This rule was abolished in 1993 in Pennsylvania. The need to revive it lies primarily in the area around Philadelphia County, where intimidation of witnesses in trial has been an issue.[1]
By allowing district attorneys to present a case to 23 jurors without public proceedings, the Supreme Court believes that witnesses to violent crimes would be more forthcoming with their testimony, leading to more convictions.[1] Opposition to the new rule focuses on the rights of the accused. Defense attorneys worry that with these grand juries, prosecution can present a case unchallenged.[2]
Still, before adopting these grand juries, a district attorney must petition the high court for use in a judicial district. Next, the process must be approved by the President Judge in a district on a case-by-case basis. That approval is meant to come only in cases of voter intimidation.[1]
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