Verified by Licensed Bail Bond Professionals•Last updated: March 2026
Definition: A panel of citizens (15-21 people in Florida) convened to review evidence and determine whether sufficient cause exists to charge someone with a crime. Grand jury proceedings are secret and only the prosecution presents evidence.
Category: Court Process · Statute: Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.140 · Source: Florida Legislature
Grand Jury in Florida
- Required for capital felonies (first-degree murder with potential death penalty)
- Optional for all other offenses (the State Attorney can use an information instead)
- Proceedings are secret — the defendant has no right to be present or present evidence
- The grand jury can issue a true bill (indictment) or no bill (no charges)
Statewide Grand Jury
Florida also has a Statewide Grand Jury that handles multi-circuit crimes like organized crime, drug trafficking, and public corruption. It has jurisdiction across all 67 counties.