Applications are now being accepted for the San Bernardino County Grand Jury, as this year’s recruiting period is earlier and longer in order to accurately process the numerous applications submitted. Successful applicants will serve as grand jurors for the period beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011. To be eligible for selection, San Bernardino County residents must be 18 years of age, and must be U.S. citizens who have lived in the County for at least one year prior to appointment. Other requirements include sufficient knowledge of the English language for those who should also be of ordinary intelligence, sound judgment and good character; by law, elected public officials are not eligible. Service as a grand juror involves an average of three to five full working days per week in San Bernardino, with a compensation of $25 per day plus mileage associated with service. Interested citizens can call 387-3820 to request an application, which is also available from the San Bernardino County Courthouse at 351 North Arrowhead Avenue, or via the Grand Jury’s webpage at sbcounty.gov/grandjury. Applications for volunteers will be accepted through February 26.
In other news from the Superior Court of San Bernardino County, Judge Douglas M. Elwell was named presiding judge for the Superior Court, effective January 1. Judge Elwell has served as the assistant presiding judge since January 2008, and has chaired and served on several court committees while also hearing a daily criminal trial calendar in the San Bernardino Central Courthouse. In June 2009, Elwell was selected by his fellow judges to succeed Judge James C. McGuire as the presiding judge. Also, effective January 1, Judge Ronald Christianson was named the assistant presiding judge of the Superior Court of California, San Bernardino County.