Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Practice Test

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Prepare for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations, to enhance your readiness. Achieve success in your educator licensing!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the primary function of a grand jury?

To conduct trials in civil cases
To review evidence for probable cause in criminal cases
To provide legal counsel to defendants
To oversee the execution of laws

The correct answer is: To review evidence for probable cause in criminal cases

The primary function of a grand jury is to review evidence for probable cause in criminal cases. This process involves determining whether there is sufficient evidence to formally charge an individual with a crime. The grand jury operates as a panel of citizens who hear the evidence presented by prosecutors, and their role is crucial in the criminal justice system as they help to ensure that the legal process is not misused by preventing unjust prosecutions. By assessing evidence, the grand jury serves as a protective check on the government's power to initiate criminal charges. If they find probable cause, they can issue an indictment, allowing the case to proceed to trial. This function emphasizes the grand jury's role in safeguarding individual rights while balancing the interests of justice. It is fundamentally different from conducting trials, providing legal counsel, or overseeing law execution, which are roles associated with other components of the judicial system.