What is the difference between a grand jury and a special grand jury?

[babylonsister]

For those not in the know, like myself. Popped up on google.

What is the difference between a grand jury and a special grand jury?

Instead of issuing indictments like a regular grand jury, the special purpose grand jury submits its findings to the district attorney, who then decides whether to present evidence to a grand jury for criminal charges.

[Takket]

1. timing is a major part of it as well

The GJ is only seated for a limited time, while the SGJ is pretty much open ended so when you have a large, sprawling criminal enterprise you need to investigate and bring down (and boy howdy do we have one) they have the ability to persist for the duration of that investigation.

[elleng]

2. 'Special,' at least in Georgia, relates to duration, I recall hearing.

Keep in mind, we are The United States, united in name but not in message(s.)

[bullimiami]

4. I think the SGJ only recommended and couldnt indict.

More of an investigative function.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. A special grand jury has the power to issue subpoenas and force testimoney

DA Willis used special grand jury subpoenas to force people like Meadows to come to court and testify. Without these special grand jury subpoenas, Willis could not get the 76 witnesses come in to testify. Special grand juries are for investigation purposes and cannot issue indictments. Regular grand jury are limited in forcing testimony but can issue indictments.