Title I – Special Grand Jury

Title I establishes special grand juries to sit in major population areas and other areas designated by the Attorney General. These grand juries are protected from arbitrary dismissal by the district court before completion of their work. They can sit for extended periods (a maximum of thirty-six months), and are authorized to issue reports concerning (a) noncriminal misconduct of appointed government officials or employees involving organized criminal activity; and (b) organized crime conditions within the district. When reports are issued concerning governmental misconduct, individuals named are given notice, afforded the opportunity to present evidence, file an answer, and obtain judicial review, all prior to publication. This title also amends the Jencks Act (18 U.S.C. § 3500) by including grand jury minutes in its definition of “statements,” and expanding its coverage to statements of prospective witnesses in the government’s possession regardless of their source.