Douglas County still searching for jurors

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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