The short answer is no, you do not have the right to counsel, if you are testifying before a federal grand jury. The right to counsel comes from the Sixth Amendment and is guaranteed to every person; however, that right only applies in criminal proceedings. The right to counsel in federal criminal proceedings usually attaches once a defendant has been indicted or is formally under federal criminal investigation.
Free Resources from OKC Federal Criminal Lawyers:
Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by Army Veteran founder, John Cannon. We are privileged to be Oklahoma federal criminal defense attorneys for clients facing federal criminal charges across Oklahoma in the Western District, Northern District, and Eastern District. Our Oklahoma federal defense lawyers fight for client’s pretrial release and freedom following indictment in Oklahoma federal criminal cases. Find FREE RESOURCES on our YouTube page and our website, until we meet to answer your specific questions. You may also CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week for a free case planning session!
Conversely, testifying before a federal grand jury does not qualify as facing a criminal proceeding to secure the Sixth Amendment right to counsel. A witness that is testifying before a federal grand jury, even a witness that is the target of an investigation does not have the right to counsel.
Although you do not have the right to a criminal defense attorney when testifying before a grand jury, you can gain many benefits from retaining counsel before testifying before a grand jury. The following history of the grand jury system is helpful in understanding the role of defense counsel in the grand jury process.
History of Grand Juries
The grand jury proceedings in the United States today originated in the 1600s in England. Since then, attorneys have been prohibited from entering the grand jury room during testimony. In fact, today in federal criminal grand jury proceedings only the grand jurors, federal prosecutor, the court reporter, and the witness are present during testimony. At least 12 of the grand jurors are required to make any decision, i.e. for a 23-person grand jury, 12 people would be required for a majority.
Federal grand juries consist of a panel of 16 to 23 jurors. Twelve votes are required for an indictment. The grand jury convenes without a presiding judge. Witnesses do not have the right to present exculpatory evidence and witnesses have no right to appear, unless called by the grand jury or the prosecutor.
Federal Grand Jury Investigations
In federal criminal cases, especially financial crimes or white-collar crimes, federal prosecutors and federal law enforcement officers seek to obtain records, documents, and other evidence for federal prosecution through the grand jury process. Unfortunately, sometimes this results in completely innocent third parties being subpoenaed to testify in a grand jury proceeding, a scary prospect for many people. Federal grand juries issue subpoenas to review evidence the grand jury finds relevant to its consideration.
Federal grand jury proceedings are Constitutionally required for some crimes. Oklahoma has some state court criminal proceedings, which follow grand jury investigations; however, the United States Supreme Court has held the Constitution only mandates grand jury investigations for felony crimes in federal court.
Federal criminal defense attorneys play an important role in defending their client’s interests in grand jury proceedings, even though they cannot be present during testimony. Your chosen federal criminal defense attorney can assist you in a number of ways in preparation for participating and testifying before the grand jury:
1. Your federal criminal defense attorney may learn from the prosecutor the topics that he or she wants to solicit testimony from you before the grand jury, including potentially learning the specific topics the prosecutor will ask you about before the grand jury. This
2. Your federal criminal defense attorney may be able to assist you in avoiding testifying before the grand jury, if you are able to reach an agreement with the prosecutor to provide an affidavit or a proffer instead of actually testifying before the grand jury. Your defense attorney may seek to provide a proffer instead of appearing before the grand jury and can assist you in negotiating that resolution with the US Attorney’s office or assigned prosecutor.
3. When you fear you may be the subject of the investigation before the grand jury or have concerns that you may be investigated for collateral conduct relevant to the grand jury’s investigation, your federal criminal defense attorney can assist you in asserting your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The government may agree to excuse you as a witness before the grand jury, if you will be invoking your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
4. Your federal criminal defense attorney can provide you wisdom and their experience in representing clients in former federal and state grand jury proceedings. Your chosen criminal defense attorney should be able to walk you through what to expect in testifying before the grand jury, the setting of the proceedings, and help you prepare your testimony.
5. Obtaining the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney may protect you from finding yourself accused or indicted for perjury or obstruction of justice for providing false or misleading testimony to the grand jury. In cases of high importance nationally or to the US Attorney’s Office involved, the chances of being accused or indicted for perjury increase, if you provide false or misleading testimony to grand jury.
6. Although your attorney cannot be present in the grand jury room, any witness may ask for a break in testimony to consult with your counsel outside of the grand jury proceedings. Retaining an experienced criminal defense attorney provides you the benefit of appearing with your attorney and having his or her advice before testifying and during breaks in your testimony.
What Happens After Grand Jury?
As stated above, a grand jury does not need to reach a unanimous decision in order to indict an individual. However, a grand jury does need a supermajority of either 2/3 or ¾ agreement to indict, depending on jurisdiction and other issues. Federal cases are known for being much faster than state criminal proceedings.
All federal grand jury proceedings are sealed, meaning no one can come back and review the information or testimony presented to the grand jury.
Even if the grand jury does not indict anyone, the US Attorney’s Office can still prosecute federal criminal defendants, if the indictment is waived and the case is then prosecuted by information.
Federal Indictment versus Information
Practically speaking, there is no difference between an indictment and information in federal criminal prosecution. The primary difference is an information does not require a grand jury proceeding to consider the evidence and decide to file an indictment.
The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution expressly grants the right to be indicted by a grand jury in federal felony proceedings. Therefore, an information is only used when a federal criminal defendant voluntarily waives the right to indictment by a grand jury.
Rule 7 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures states, An offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year may be prosecuted by information if the defendant—in open court and after being advised of the nature of the charge and of the defendant’s rights—waives prosecution by indictment.”
Why would anyone plead to an Information in Federal Court?
Federal prosecutors may provide federal criminal defendant’s a variety of benefits in exchange for not holding federal prosecutors to the requirement of presenting a case to the grand jury; thereby conserving resources. Some of the benefits of waiving Indictment by a grand jury may include: consideration of cooperation with the government and more importantly acceptance of responsibility for criminal wrongdoing. Federal prosecutors may agree to proceed on fewer or less serious charges against a federal criminal defendant in exchange for waiving Indictment.
Generally speaking, the decision to waive Indictment by the grand jury and proceed by Information is the result of an agreement between the federal prosecutor and defendant for specific sentencing calculation under the federal sentencing guidelines or specific charges.
Free Resources from OKC Federal Criminal Lawyers:
Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by Army Veteran founder, John Cannon. We are privileged to be Oklahoma federal criminal defense attorneys for clients facing federal criminal charges across Oklahoma in the Western District, Northern District, and Eastern District. Our Oklahoma federal defense lawyers fight for client’s pretrial release and freedom following indictment in Oklahoma federal criminal cases. Find FREE RESOURCES on our YouTube page and our website, until we meet to answer your specific questions. You may also CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week for a free case planning session!
Contact – Cannon & Associates: Federal Defense Advocates
Experience matters when you are facing questioning or indictment by a grand jury on a federal criminal case. It is important to know the federal criminal defense lawyer you hire is dedicated to your cause and versed in all aspects of federal criminal law and grand jury proceedings. Cannon & Associates is dedicated to Fierce Advocacy and will fight for your rights. Being a witness or under investigation by a federal grand jury may lead to tough consequences, but Cannon & Associates is here to support and guide you through all of your options.
Contact Cannon & Associates to protect your rights and fight for your case in Oklahoma. Complete the CONTACT FORM ON THIS PAGE NOW or CALL at 405-657-2323 for a free confidential case evaluation.