Because they are usually reserved for serious criminal cases, such as those involving violent crimes, organized crime, drug offenses or public corruption, grand jury proceedings are not as common as regular jury trials, and they differ from jury trials in several other ways.
First, and probably most importantly, the outcome of a grand jury is not a conviction, but rather a decision about whether there is probable cause for an indictment. There is, therefore, a much lower standard of proof compared to a jury trial, in which the prosecutor must provide evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to convict.

Second, grand juries might hear about a specific investigation or may hear evidence from dozens of cases that involve multiple defendants, whereas a trial jury will only hear evidence pertaining to one defendant.

Finally, grand jury proceedings are conducted in secret, with only a prosecutor in attendance to present evidence. That means the defense is not allowed to cross-examine any witnesses or present any of its own evidence. At the end of the proceeding, the testimony is sealed.
However, if you are under investigation by a grand jury or subpoenaed to appear in a grand jury trial, you will still need the assistance of a skilled and experienced attorney to assist you throughout the proceeding and, if possible, help you avoid indictment. As former state and federal prosecutors, the attorneys at Richards Carrington have been present during grand jury proceedings and possess the knowledge necessary to navigate the federal or state court system and the grand jury process.