First time in at least 18 years; preliminary copies given to supervisors, affected departments
The 2017-18 Sutter County grand jury did not release an annual report Friday.
None of the outgoing jury members attended Friday's empanelment for the new jury, as referenced by roll call.
No reason was given for why they "elected to not publish a report this year." But the Board of Supervisors and affected departments received preliminary copies of a report earlier this week, supervisors confirmed.
Sutter County Assistant County Counsel William Vanasek said Wednesday that the penal code states that the grand jury shall provide affected agencies a copy of the report at least two business days prior to the public release and after approval of the presiding judge. It also states that no officer, agency, department or governing body shall disclose the report's contents prior to public release.
It wasn't explained what will happen to those documents now that the report will not be released publicly, or why or when the jury decided to not release it.
The Sutter County grand jury has released a report every year since at least as far back as 1999-2000, according to Appeal-Democrat archives.
The Appeal-Democrat received anonymous calls Wednesday that the entire grand jury resigned from their posts Monday, but officials would not confirm or deny it.
"The court maintains the confidentiality of the Grand Jury process and out of respect for the integrity of that process and in accordance with the law does not comment on any Grand Jury actions or proceedings," Sutter County Court Executive Officer Stephanie Hansel said in an email Wednesday.
June 29, 2018
Appeal-Democrat
By Rachel Rosenbaum
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