Sanford v. State

OPINION

COATS, Chief Judge.

When the superior court convenes a grand jury, the court administers an oath to the grand jurors and instructs the jurors on their powers and duties. 1 The grand jury is to consist of not less than twelve nor more than eighteen members. 2 To indict, the Alaska Constitution requires the concurrence of a majority of the grand jurors. But how many grand jurors must concur if the court swears in and instructs eighteen grand jurors but only twelve actually hear the evidence and deliberate in a particular case?

Alaska Criminal Rule 6(n)(1) requires the concurrence of a…