The history, limits and abilities of grand juries
Listen 00:48:44Guests: Seth Williams and David Rudovsky
A Cleveland grand jury recently decided not to bring charges against two police officers in the shooting death of Tamir Rice – sparking some outrage, but also confusion about the grand jury process. In this hour we’ll talk about how grand juries are used by prosecutors across the US to examine evidence in possible criminal cases and determine whether criminal charges should be brought. And we’ll discuss how some places have done away with the system: the United Kingdom abolished its grand jury system in 1933 and California recently banned grand juries in cases of fatal shootings by police. Civil rights and criminal defense attorney DAVID RUDOVSKY will explain how they work and how they’re used, including in cases of police-involved shootings. And Philadelphia District Attorney SETH WILLIAMS will tell us how he has used grand juries in the past and their benefits and limits.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Brought to you by Radio Times
Radio Times
WHYY's Radio Times is an engaging and timely call-in program that tackles wide-ranging issues of concern to listeners in the Delaware Valley.
Subscribe for free
