Which of the following describes the role of a grand jury in criminal proceedings?

The role of a grand jury in criminal proceedings primarily involves determining whether sufficient evidence exists to bring formal charges against an individual. This stage of the legal process, often referred to as the "indictment process," allows the grand jury to review evidence presented by the prosecutor to establish whether there is probable cause for prosecution. If the grand jury finds enough evidence, they will issue an indictment, enabling the case to proceed to trial.

In contrast, determining guilt or innocence is the task of a trial jury, which evaluates the evidence presented during the trial itself. The grand jury does not conduct trials or hear comprehensive defenses; instead, they focus solely on whether charges should be filed based on the evidence. Although grand juries have the power to issue subpoenas as part of their investigative functions, this is just one of many duties and does not define their primary role. Thus, the correct understanding of a grand jury's function is centered upon their responsibility to assess and decide on the sufficiency of evidence for charging an individual, aligning directly with the given answer.