New Grand Juries Sworn In
(Cleveland) – The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court has sworn-in three new grand juries, which began service this month and will meet through the end of November.
Common Pleas Court judges appoint a foreperson for each grand jury. For this current session, Judge John D Sutula appointed Marc Bosen of Solon. Judge Joan C. Synenberg named Anthony Small of Garfield Heights. Judge Dick Ambrose appointed C. Richard McDonald of Shaker Heights .
Grand juries consist of 14 citizens selected from the public. The current three panels will meet once a week for four months on different days and times. During those proceedings, which are not open to the public by law, only the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office presents witnesses and evidence.
The Grand Jury then decides if probable cause exists that a felony has been committed. If so, an indictment is returned and filed with the Clerk of Courts office, commencing formal criminal proceedings against the defendant.
This is the first grand jury selection since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The panels are meeting once a week instead of the traditional two days due to the pandemic. The Grand Juries previously seated in January were extended until these new panels could be selected.