Federal grand juries have a maximum of 23 members, 16 of whom must be present to form a quorum. Indictments are returned by a vote of 12 or more members. Federal grand juries typically sit for a term of 18 months and meet at regular intervals. Grand juries can use the court’s power to subpoena evidence. A subpoena (which translates, essentially, as “subject to sanction”) commands someone to do something. The subpoenas are actually issued by the court clerk’s office.

The prosecutor will go to the court clerk’s office and obtain blank subpoenas. The prosecutor then fills them in, putting in the name of the person or corporation that is being subpoenaed, and telling them what they have to do (testify or produce documents) and when they have to do it. The prosecutor then has someone–often a police officer or federal Read More