What is a key factor that grand juries use to make their determinations?

Probable cause is a fundamental concept that grand juries rely on when making their determinations. This legal standard refers to the reasonable belief that a crime has been committed and that the accused individual likely committed it. In the grand jury context, the prosecution presents evidence to establish this threshold. The grand jury must evaluate whether the evidence presented is sufficient to justify formal charges against an individual, which is a critical step in the criminal justice process.

While other factors like victim testimony, expert witnesses, and patterns of behavior may play roles during court proceedings or investigations, they are not the primary standard that grand juries use to decide whether to return an indictment. Probable cause serves as the essential benchmark that determines whether the evidence substantiates the initiation of criminal charges.