Douglas County still searching for jurors

Wednesday, July 5, 2000 | 9:44 a.m.

Fifty more questionnaires were sent out last week asking residents to serve on the upcoming grand jury. That brings the total sent so far to 200. Thirty-six people are needed who are willing to serve.

Chief Deputy Court Clerk Helen Chappell said 200 to 250 forms were sent out before the 1993-94 grand jury was impaneled.

Once three dozen willing jurors are found, District Judges David Gamble and Michael Gibbons will select 17 jurors and a dozen alternates. At least a dozen jurors must meet to take action.

Chappell said people are less willing to sit on a grand jury than to hear a regular court case because of the length of time the panel is in session.

Jurors meet four or five times a month at the beginning and less than once a week toward the end.

They meet and vote in secret on issues brought to them by the public and can make responses ranging from recommendations to indictments.

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