James K. Robinson

Federal grand juries conduct their investigations of criminal wrong-doing in secret. James K. Robinson argues in the following viewpoint that permitting lawyers to accompany their clients into the grand jury room would disrupt and destroy the effectiveness of the grand jury’s investigation. In addition, the presence of counsel in the chambers would transform the proceedings from a criminal investigation into a trial determining guilt or innocence. Finally, Robinson contends that allowing defense lawyers in the grand jury room would compromise the secrecy of the proceedings. Robinson is an assistant attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. In Robinson’s opinion, how would the presence of a defense lawyer in the grand jury room change the proceedings from...