Warren County grand jury to reconvene Tuesday

Mississippi’s Ninth Judicial District will reconvene the Warren County grand jury Tuesday morning, May 26.

Judges made the decision to reconvene the grand jury impaneled in January to expedite the process and lessen the number of people inside the courthouse.

District Attorney Ricky Smith said he usually impanels five grand juries a year in Warren County with a minimum of 15 people each. One regular session of the grand jury was canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Smith said his staff is finalizing case files and expects to present approximately 70 cases for review.

The grand jury process includes assistant district attorneys, law enforcement and witnesses presenting information to the jurors, who then determine if there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.

Grand jurors may also tour county facilities, hear from appointed and elected officials and make recommendations based on their findings.

The process normally lasts about a week in any given case and is followed by indictments and pleadings in front of one of two circuit court judges in the district.

Grand juries can also return a “no true bill” decision if there is insufficient evidence to proceed. In that case, charges are dismissed against the defendant.