§ 1 Authority to convene statewide grand jury
§ 2 Selection of county where statewide grand jury to sit; appointment of superior court justice to preside
§ 3 Nature and scope of investigation
§ 4 Manner of drawing and selecting specially-empaneled statewide grand jury
§ 5 Period during which statewide grand jury may sit
§ 6 Powers and duties of attorney general and assistant attorney general
§ 7 County in which indictment to be returned; venue
§ 8 Effect on jurisdiction of county grand jury or district attorney

Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 277B - Statewide Grand Jury

  • Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.