What is required for conviction from a Grand Jury?

For a conviction from a Grand Jury, a simple majority vote is required. This means that more than half of the jurors must agree to issue an indictment for criminal charges to be filed. Grand juries typically consist of a larger number of jurors, often ranging from 16 to 23, depending on the jurisdiction. Therefore, a simple majority ensures that there is sufficient support among the jurors to advance the case to trial, reflecting a collective decision that there is enough evidence to proceed.

In contrast, other voting requirements, such as a unanimous or two-thirds vote, are more common in different aspects of the legal system, particularly in trial juries where unanimous decisions are typically required to convict or acquit a defendant. The requirement for a simple majority in a Grand Jury setting streamlines the process for the prosecution to move forward in cases where there appears to be credible evidence against an individual.