Why are grand jury indictments sometimes sealed?

skooooo

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Jan-10-09 03:02 PM
Original message

Why are grand jury indictments sometimes sealed?

Anyone know? I'm sure there could be a number of reasons, but is it a government decision? can one of the parties request it be sealed? for what reasons?

Thanks for any insight.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Botany

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Jan-10-09 03:22 PM
Response to Original message

1. Because they are cute

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

skooooo

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Jan-10-09 04:28 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. lol...

Ok!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

AZ Criminal JD

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Jan-10-09 04:59 PM
Response to Original message

3. Generally because the government is continuing the investigation.

Edited on Sat Jan-10-09 05:01 PM by bamalib

Only the government can request the indictment be sealed. The government does not want to tip off the person(s) being indicted or potential witnesses to what they know.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Garbo 2004

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Jan-10-09 05:12 PM
Response to Original message

4. The gov't requests the judge overseeing grand jury proceedings to seal indictment.

For example, the person may be a flight risk and they want him/her in custody first, before the indictment is made public. Or, it's an ongoing investigation and they are holding the indictment so as not to compromise the investigation.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

skooooo

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Jan-10-09 06:24 PM
Response to Reply #4

5. Here's the deal...

We found out there was a GJ indictment against someone about 75 years ago. Someone I know went to look at the records, and said the indictment had been sealed - kind of like after the fact, I guesss (?). Does that make any sense? So we have to file to see them.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Garbo 2004

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Jan-10-09 08:33 PM
Response to Reply #5

6. Don't know if this link re what seems to be NY law has info that may be relevant:

http://www.mcacp.org/issue28.htm

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Thu May 02nd 2024, 05:00 AM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.