Editor’s Note: The Chilton County Grand Jury met last week and gave this report to Circuit Court Judge Ben Fuller:

To the honorable Judge Ben A. Fuller, circuit judge:

After having been empanelled, we proceeded to investigate all matters that came before us, and we herewith submit the following report:

During our deliberations, we investigated 292 cases, and we are returning 182 true bills.

We heard cases presented from the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Clanton Police Department, the Thorsby Police Department, the Maplesville Police Department, the Alabama Medicaid Agency, the Jemison Police Department and the Alabama Department of Public Safety. All of these officers were well prepared and professional, and we appreciate the dedication that these agents and officers show in keeping our community safe. Their preparation and professionalism greatly assist the Grand Jury process.

We toured the Chilton County Jail and found the facility to be in functioning order. We found the staff to be professional and hard-working. We also had the opportunity to observe the Chilton County Courthouse and found the structure to be in disrepair. We note that the judicial space is inadequate for all the court’s business. We recommend that the Chilton County Commission add much needed court, office, parking and storage space. We request that the Commission also consider the construction of a new Judicial Complex.

We reviewed an independent auditor’s report on the Mental Health Board of Chilton and Shelby Counties, Inc. We found no indictable offenses.

Now having complied with your honor’s instructions to the best of our ability, we request that we be recessed until such time as it may be necessary to have us convene again.

Dated this 29th day of July, 2011.

-Linda Northcutt, Foreperson