Which body is responsible for determining if criminal charges should go to trial?

The grand jury is responsible for determining whether there is enough evidence to bring criminal charges to trial. This body is composed of citizens who are called to review evidence presented by the prosecution and to decide if there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed. If the grand jury determines that there is sufficient evidence, they will issue an indictment, which formally charges an individual with a crime and allows the case to proceed to trial.

In contrast, a trial jury, also known as a petit jury, is responsible for weighing evidence and deciding the outcome of a case that has already been brought to trial. The district court facilitates the trial but does not decide whether to file charges; rather, it conducts the trial itself. A court of appeals handles requests for re-examination of decisions made by lower courts but is not involved in the initial charge determination. Therefore, the grand jury serves a crucial role in the preliminary stages of the criminal justice process by determining if a case should proceed to trial.