No true bill (definition)

A legal procedure to dismiss charges against a defendant when the grand jury does not find enough evidence to charge the defendant with violating a law. Also called a “no bill.”

How grand juries work

In New York, witnesses have immunity. Defendants can testify on their own behalf, but must first waive immunity and state for the record that they understand that what they say can be used against them.

Their lawyer is allowed in the room but cannot say anything.

If the defendant wishes to consult with his or her lawyer before answering a particular question, they leave the room to discuss and then come back to answer it.

The lawyer cannot prompt this. The defendant has to ask for this on his or her own.

The defendant first makes a statement, which is uninterrupted by the ADA unless it wanders off topic.

Then the ADA gets to grill the defendant. There is no cross-examination.

Interesting article
Just last week, I completed a two week term on a grand jury, in Brooklyn, New York, County of Kings. In light of the Eric Garner case, in which the Staten Island grand jury failed to indict David Pantaleo, here is what I can tell you about the process: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/1...-Grand-Jurist#