Criminal Trials, Hearings do I have a right to be before a grand jury prior to jury trial

[constitionalist]

should I have been brought before a grand jury prior to my having a jury trial

 

[mightymoose]

That is not what a grand jury is for.

 

[disagreeable]

A grand jury hands down indictments based on presentation of evidence when the police are not sure they have enough info to prosecute. The person charged is not informed of the proceeding, nor do they appear.

 

[army judge]

If you ever find yourself sitting in the HOT SEAT at a grand jury proceeding, you're probably a target of an intense investigation.
That said, you don't need to be indicted by a grand jury to be arrested and charged.
In a few situations, in a few states, there are several exceptions to the above premise.


Here is a very informative read by one of your PA state, Assistant AGs:

http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/crime.aspx?id=207

Remember Jerry Sanduskey? Well, here is the actual presentment of the grand jury's findings:

http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/uploadedfiles/press/sandusky-grand-jury-presentment.pdf