Arizona's County Grand Jury: The Empty Promise of Independence
Arizona Law Review, Vol. 29, p. 667, 1987
34 Pages Posted: 31 Aug 2009
Date Written: 1987
Abstract
This Note examines the independence of the county grand jury in Arizona. After reviewing the grand jury's historical roots in England, colonial and post-colonial America, and in Arizona, this Note describes the Arizona statutes governing the county grand jury system. It then explains some of the practical problems which defeat legislative and judicial attempts to protect the grand jury's independence. Finally, after discussing judicial reaction to some of these problems, this Note offers for consideration some institutional reforms aimed at closing the gap between the rhetoric of and what actually is the case regarding grand jury independence. Excluded from this Note is any examination of the grand jury's investigatory role, and any examination of Arizona's state grand jury.
Keywords: Grand Jury, independence, judge
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation