What is the difference between Grand Jury and Petit Jury?

A grand jury which consists of a body of people majorly about 16 to 23 people, the grand jury decides if a criminal case should proceed to trial and also if there is enough evidence. The grand jury can sit permanently on a case for a month or even a year. All the decision made by the grand jury does not mean the case is closed, but these decisions are used in the final trial.

A petit jury is commonly referred to as a trial jury; it normally consists of 6 to 12 people. The petit jury's job is to decide which side to believe at a formal criminal trial. The trial court is very strict and mostly controlled by a judge. Petit juries hardly have the opportunity to ask questions.

A grand jury is comprised of 23 jurors. The purpose of constituting a grand jury is to allow the jurors to determine if there is reason or grounds based on evidence to hold an accused person responsible for a crime. When charged with a crime and sent to trial, the jury determines if the person is guilty of the offense for which they are being charged. A petit jury is a trial jury.

The word petit refers to the fact that a petit jury is smaller in size compared to a grand jury. A petit jury consists of 6 to 12 jurors. Petit does not indicate any less importance of the jury. This jury still has to come to a verdict just like a grand jury.

A grand jury is a group of citizens assembled by the government to listen and check evidence from the prosecution's witness against an accused, mostly to determine whether an accused should be charged. A grand jury usually works with the prosecutor to determine whether the evidence against an accused is enough to convict him or her. On the other hand, a petit jury can also be called a regular trial jury. Members of a petit jury are assembled to be part of a trial and to determine whether an accused should be convicted or acquitted.

A petit jury listens to the testimony from the prosecution team and also from the defense team. While a grand jury works with the prosecutor, a petit jury works with the two parties throughout the trial. About 12-23 people are usually assembled to be members of a grand jury, while about 6-12 people are usually assembled to form a petit jury.