Apparently "grand juries declining an indictment is extremely rare... The grand jury only hears from the prosecution, there is no defense involved. Only a majority of the grand jury has to sign off, not unanimous like in an actual trial."

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[–] 59 points 2 months ago (1 child)

Yeah, grand juries usually rubber stamp whatever the prosecutor wants to do. It's nice to come across one of those rare instances they actually do what they were created for.

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  • [–] 37 points 2 months ago

    When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.

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  • [–] 19 points 2 months ago
    7 comments in c/DeFlock@sh.itjust.works view that post
    [–] 39 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    I believe that there's typically not even a defense presentation in grand jury proceedings.

    It's rare that I feel proud of my fellow Americans, but this is one of those times.

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  • [–] 12 points 2 months ago

    Not just not typically, that's the entire point of them.

    A grand jury is basically a first test of "does the state's case pass muster in an absolutely perfect scenario?" so it's more or less a quick trial with relaxed guidelines that is massively leaned in favor of the state.

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  • [–] 23 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    How does a 1000$ in damage warrant a felony charge? I would have assumed the charges to be vandalism and misdemeanor offense.

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  • [–] 10 points 2 months ago

    Theres usually a minimum limit to crimes, anything exceeding X amount is automatically a felony.

    Speeding can be anything over 15mph is felony speeding.

    Theft of a total value amount of $1000 is grand larceny.

    Depends on local laws i think

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  • [–] 36 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Investigators, according to WKRC-TV in Cincinnati, identified Morelock after obtaining surveillance footage from other cameras near the scene as well as information linked to a credit card and a customer rewards account.

    Was the rewards program worth saving $0.50 on your last purchase if they try to help put you in jail?

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  • [–] 14 points 2 months ago

    Prosecutor will just refile. No double jeopardy in the grand jury.

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  • 3 comments in c/hackernews@lemmy.bestiver.se view that post
    [–] 35 points 2 months ago

    Cause he did nothing wrong

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  • [–] 14 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    $1k in damages is a felony and this needed a grand jury??

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  • [–] 10 points 2 months ago*

    I was surprised too. According to this site, in Ohio, vandalism is a fifth-degree felony when the damage is "$1,000+ on business property or serious physical harm to government/school/cemetery property." The penalty for a fifth-degree felony is 6-12 months in prison, plus fines. Any charge that can result in 1 year or more in prison has to go before a Grand Jury.

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