Which of the following best describes a grand jury?

A grand jury is specifically a group of citizens convened to review evidence presented by the prosecution to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to bring formal charges against a suspect. Its primary function is to assess the validity of the prosecution's case and decide if it should proceed to trial.

Unlike a regular trial jury, which determines a defendant's guilt or innocence in a criminal case, the grand jury does not make verdicts related to criminal responsibility. Instead, it focuses solely on whether there is enough evidence (often referred to as "probable cause") to warrant the indictment of a person, meaning that there is enough basis to formally accuse someone of a crime. This process is an essential preliminary step in the criminal justice system, particularly in felonies.

The other options refer to different functions: a jury that decides a verdict refers to a trial jury, a panel hearing civil disputes refers to a civil court jury, and conducting a trial pertains to the normal judicial process rather than the grand jury's investigative role.