Número y calificaciones de jurados en un gran jurado multi-jurisdiccional

Explicación Simple

Un gran jurado es un grupo de personas que ayudan a decidir si hay pruebas suficientes para un juicio. En Virginia, un gran jurado de varias jurisdicciones tiene entre siete y once miembros, todos ciudadanos y residentes del estado.

Es como armar un equipo de fútbol: necesitas un número específico de jugadores de diferentes barrios para asegurarte de que todos estén representados y jueguen juntos.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que en una ciudad de Virginia, se necesita investigar un caso de fraude. El juez reúne un gran jurado de diez personas, asegurándose de que al menos una persona viva en cada uno de los cuatro barrios involucrados en el caso. Así, todos los barrios tienen voz en la decisión.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Va. Code § 19.2-215.4 - Number and qualifications of jurors; grand jury list; when convened; compensation of jurors. A. A multi-jurisdiction grand jury shall consist of not less than seven nor more than 11 members. Each member of a multi-jurisdiction grand jury shall be a citizen of this Commonwealth, 18 years of age or older, and a resident of this Commonwealth for one year and of one of the jurisdictions named in the application for six months. B. The presiding judge shall determine the number of grand jurors to be drawn and shall draw them so that, to the extent practicable, each of the jurisdictions named in the application is represented by at least one juror residing in that jurisdiction, but in no event shall said panel have more than 11 members. The grand jurors shall be summoned from a list prepared by the presiding judge. In the preparation of this list, the presiding judge shall select only persons who have been selected as regular grand jurors pursuant to the provisions of § 19.2-194 in the jurisdiction named in the application. Members of a multi-jurisdiction grand jury shall possess the same qualifications as those prescribed for members of a regular grand jury, including indifference in the cause. C. The provisions of § 19.2-192 dealing with secrecy in grand jury proceedings are incorporated herein by reference. D. The presiding judge shall determine the time, date and place within the designated jurisdiction where the multi-jurisdiction grand jury is to be convened. The presiding judge shall also appoint one of the grand jurors to serve as foreman. Members of the multi-jurisdiction grand jury shall be compensated according to the provisions of § 19.2-205 . The expense of a multi-jurisdiction grand jury shall be borne by the Commonwealth. 1983, c. 543; 2