What Is a Grand Jury? Here's a Simple Explanation — and What It Means For Trump

The investigation into whether Russia interfered with the 2016 election isn't anywhere close to being over; in fact, it just got a whole lot more intense. Special Counsel Robert Mueller impaneled a grand jury on Aug. 3 which will now be able to subpoena documents and witnesses and, if the evidence is there, indict someone on a federal felony charge.

Though both types of juries share many similarities, they ultimately serve different roles in the judicial system. A trial jury is brought in when a defendant has been charged with a crime. A grand jury is much bigger than a trial jury, composed of 16 to 23 randomly chosen citizens with duties lasting for several months. Unlike trial juries, grand juries aren't open to the general public, include cross examination of witnesses, and don't allow witnesses to have a lawyer present.

In a grand jury, an ample amount of evidence is allowed to be used whereas a trial jury only receives certain evidence given to them.

A grand jury's key purpose is to determine whether or not to charge someone with a federal felony and make them stand trial. An indictment from a grand jury is necessary to charge someone with a felony crime per the Constitution. At least 12 of the jurors in a grand jury must agree to indict.

A grand jury also further opens up an investigation, as they can subpoena documents and witnesses and ask people to testify under oath.

It can last anywhere from 12 to 18 months, but could be longer, reports The Hill.

Trump has previously denounced the entire investigation, and on Aug. 3 furthered this sentiment by telling a rally in West Virginia, "The Russian story is a total fabrication, it is just an excuse for the greatest loss in the history of American politics. That's all it is . . . . They are trying to cheat you out of the leadership you want with a fake story that is demeaning to all of us and most importantly demeaning to our country and demeaning to our Constitution."

However, between the James Comey testimony and the emails between a Russian lawyer and his son, Donald Trump Jr., the situation isn't looking positive for Trump.