In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the shadowy world of grand juries and the unbridled influence of government prosecutors. The curtain is drawn back to reveal a system where justice is often obscured by secrecy, manipulation, and the unchecked power of those who wield it.

As we explore the inner workings of grand juries, it becomes evident that they serve as the "administrative arm" of government prosecutors. These jurors are tasked with transforming the prosecutor's directed charges into indictments, seemingly aiding the prosecutor in gathering evidence, summoning witnesses, and issuing subpoenas. But beneath this façade lies a disturbing reality: prosecutors skillfully employ emotive language, high-inference rhetoric, trigger words, and images to elicit emotional responses from jurors, clouding their perception of reality. The question arises: How many jurors, driven by emotion rather than reason, inadvertently serve the prosecutor's agenda, knowing that many everyday Americans are susceptible to manipulation?

The Fifth Amendment mandates that all potential federal cases undergo grand jury review, conducted in secret, where neither the accused nor their defense attorney has the right to be present. The grand jury's sole purpose is to determine if "probable cause" exists to believe a crime was committed. However, this process is dominated by the government prosecutor, operating in a realm of secrecy and with minimal oversight, often disregarding the rules of evidence.

Critics argue that getting a grand jury to issue an indictment is so straightforward that prosecutors could "indict a ham sandwich." Grand juries are seen as overly compliant, conforming, and manipulated, serving as mere showcases for government prosecutors, as sensationalized by mainstream media. The most glaring criticism is that grand jurors may not represent a true cross-section of the community and often lack the qualifications for jury service. Unlike regular trial jurors, grand jurors are not screened for bias or provided with legal instructions; their role is simply to judge based on what the prosecutor presents. Moreover, the "probable cause" standard for issuing an indictment is far lower than the standards used in civil or criminal trials.

We also examine the question of how much weight and influence grand jury indictments have on trial juries, who may be swayed by preconceived notions that if someone was indicted, they must be guilty. Shockingly, various American organizations suggest that between 2% and 10% of people incarcerated in federal prisons may have been wrongfully indicted.

Join us as we unravel the complexities of grand juries, prosecutorial power, and their impact on the pursuit of justice in America. We aim to shed light on a system often shrouded in darkness and secrecy, where the scales of justice may be tilted against the accused.