THE GRAND JURY HAS BECOME THE SUBJECT OF INCREASING CONTROVERSY. SOME REFORMERS HAVE CALLED FOR ITS ABOLITION; OTHERS BELIEVE THAT A MAJOR OVERHAUL OF THE INSTITUTION IS IMPERATIVE. THE HISTORY OF THE GRAND JURY AS IT BEGAN UNDER THE ENGLISH LEGAL SYSTEM IS FOLLOWED UP TO ITS PRESENT USE AT STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS WHERE IT HAS VAST POWERS WHILE WITNESSES WHO APPEAR BEFORE IT HAVE LIMITED RIGHTS. GRAND JURORS INSTEAD OF QUESTIONING THE PROSECUTOR'S PURPOSES, SERVE ONLY TO RUBBER-STAMP THEM, A POTENTIAL MANY FEAR. THERE IS A LIVELY AND GROWING DEBATE OVER THE CHOICE BETWEEN SCRAPPING AND REHABILITATING THE GRAND JURY. THE AUTHORS ACKNOWLEDGE THE WEIGHTY ARGUMENTS FOR ITS ABOLITION, BUT CONCLUDE THAT EXTENSIVE REFORM IS PREFERABLE. THIS BOOK IS PURPOSED AS A TOOL ENABLING THE READER TO MAKE AN INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT ON THIS MATTER CONSIDERED TO BE OF NATIONAL CONCERN.(AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...TWH