Under New York State law, a defendant charged with a felony in criminal court must be released within six days unless a preliminary hearing is held, resulting in continued incarceration. Alternatively, a defendant can be kept in custody beyond six days if the district attorney files written certification with the court that an indictment has been voted on by a grand jury.
Such a submission indicates only that a vote by the 23-member grand jury has been taken, not that a final indictment has been issued.
The Paper has learned, from a source familiar with the case but who requested anonymity, that certification indicating the grand jury has voted on a charge against Graswald has been submitted to the court, however it is not yet known if or when a final indictment will be forthcoming.
Grand jury investigations are confidential and can last for weeks.