Grand jury transcripts are typically secret under U.S. federal practice.
high
procedural
General rule about the secrecy of grand jury proceedings and transcripts.
Federal judges and magistrate judges may review grand jury transcripts in camera during judicial hearings to determine whether the transcripts should be disclosed to the defense.
high
procedural
Judicial in-camera review is a mechanism for deciding disclosure of grand jury material.
A criminal prosecution initiated without a valid grand-jury indictment can raise constitutional concerns under the Fifth Amendment's grand jury clause.
high
legal
The Fifth Amendment contains a grand jury requirement for certain federal prosecutions, and lack of a valid indictment can implicate that protection.