N.J. Stat. tit. 2B, ch. 21

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 2B:21-1 Number of grand juries

The Assignment Judge for each county shall impanel one or more grand juries for that county, as the public interest requires. There shall be at least one grand jury serving in each county at all times. Source: 2A:71-5; 2A:71-6; 2A:71-7 L.1995,c.44,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:21-2 Impaneling grand jury

a. A grand jury shall consist of not more than 23 persons selected from the panel of jurors summoned for service as grand jurors. The grand jurors shall be selected publicly and randomly, in the same manner as is provided by statute for the impaneling of petit jurors. b. The Assignment Judge, or a Superior Court judge designated by the Assignment Judge, shall conduct the voir dire of members of the grand jury panel and shall decide all requests for excuse or deferral of service on the grand jury. c. The Assignment Judge, or a Superior Court judge designated by the Assignment Judge, shall excuse any person from service on the grand jury if the person is a federal, State or local government police officer or prosecutor. d. The prosecutor may object to the selection of any person as a grand juror on the basis of the person's inability to be impartial or on the grounds that the person does not meet the qualifications specified in N.J.S.2B:20-1. The objections by the prosecutor shall be made on the record and shall be decided by the Assignment Judge. Source: 2A:73-1; 2A:78-6; new L.1995,c.44,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:21-3 Oath of grand jurors

The following oath shall be administered to all of the members of the grand jury: "Do you as a member of this grand jury of the State of New Jersey and county of (county) swear or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State; that you will diligently inquire into all matters brought before you to the best of your skill, knowledge and understanding; that you will take no action through envy, hatred or malice nor for fear, favor or affection, or for reward or the hope of reward; that you will make a true presentment of all matters coming before you, and that you will keep secret the proceedings of the grand jury?" Source: 2A:73-3 L.1995,c.44,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:21-4 Vacancies in grand jury

A grand juror who becomes ill, dies or does not appear for service after having been sworn may be replaced at the direction of the Assignment Judge. The replacement grand juror shall be selected publicly and randomly and shall be sworn in the same manner as the grand juror being replaced. Source: 2A:73-2 L.1995,c.44,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:21-5 Selection of foreperson and deputy foreperson

The foreperson and the deputy foreperson of each grand jury shall be selected publicly and randomly from the persons impanelled as members of the grand jury. A person selected as the foreperson or deputy foreperson may freely decline to serve in the position, in which case another person shall be selected publicly and randomly to serve. Source: New L.1995,c.44,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:21-6 Swearing of witnesses by foreperson

a. The foreperson of the grand jury shall administer the following oath to witnesses who give evidence before the grand jury: "Do you swear or affirm that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" b. The foreperson shall, before being discharged, certify to the court the names of the witnesses who have been sworn. Source: 2A:73-4 L.1995,c.44,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:21-7 Indictment

2B:21-7. a. An indictment may be found only upon concurrence of 12 or more grand jurors who either were present during, or who have read or listened to the record of, all of the proceedings concerning the indictment and who have examined all exhibits presented with respect to the indictment. b. Whenever the indictment returned by the grand jury is against a police officer or other law enforcement officer for a person's death that occurred during an encounter with that officer acting in the officer's official capacity or while the decedent was in custody, pursuant to the investigation and indictment process set forth in paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 11 of P.L.1970, c.74 (C.52:17B-107), the judge who impaneled the grand jury shall designate a county of venue other than the county in which the incident, resulting in the officer's indictment, occurred, for the purpose of trial of the indictment. Amended 2019, c.1, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:21-8 Record of proceedings

The testimony of witnesses, comments by the prosecuting attorney, and colloquy between the prosecuting attorney and witnesses or members of the grand jury shall be recorded stenographically or electronically. Source: 2A:73B-1 L.1995,c.44,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:21-9 Statement of investigation

a. A person who has been investigated by a grand jury and against whom no indictment has been returned, may request the grand jury to issue a statement indicating that a charge against the person was investigated and that the grand jury did not return an indictment from the evidence presented. The grand jury shall issue the statement upon the approval of the court which summoned the grand jury. The statement shall issue upon the completion of the investigation of the charge, but not beyond the end of the grand jury's term. b. A person who has been called to appear before a grand jury for a purpose other than the investigation of a charge against the person, may request the grand jury to issue a statement indicating that the person was called only as a witness in an investigation, and that the investigation did not involve a charge against the person. The grand jury shall issue the statement upon the approval of the court which summoned the grand jury. The statement shall issue upon the completion of the investigation of the charge or a series of related charges, but not beyond the end of the grand jury's term. Source: 2A:73B-2 L.1995,c.44,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:21-10 Unauthorized disclosure of grand jury proceedings

a. Any person who, with the intent to injure another, purposely discloses any information concerning the proceedings of a grand jury, other than as authorized or required by law, commits a crime of the fourth degree. A public officer or employee who is convicted of a violation of this subsection shall be dismissed from public office or employment. b. A person injured as a result of a violation of subsection a. of this section may bring a civil action against the person convicted of the violation. The person convicted shall be liable to the person injured for actual damages, punitive damages of not less than $1,000.00 or more than $100,000.00, reasonable litigation costs and reasonable attorney fees. Source: 2A:73B-3 L.1995,c.44,s.1.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026