Presiding Judge E. Bradley Nelson of the Solano County Superior Court has impaneled the annual Solano County grand jury. Among the members are Dennis Adams and Bernard Deschuytter of Benicia.

Other members are Robert Alexander, Joyce Reynolds and Karen Huff, Vallejo; Earl Lawrence, Delores Da’Venport, William A. Patterson, Mervin Davis and Janet Roberts, Fairfield; John Long III, Peter Burnett, Peitra Jane Mopas, Ralph Petty, Ross Riesche, Billy Dixon Jr. and Richard Watson, Vacaville; Darrin Davenport, Dixon; and Barbara Koon, Rio Vista.

They were chosen at random from the 2015-16 term that began Wednesday, and were impaneled during a ceremony Tuesday in the Hall of Justice, Fairfield.

Nelson began March 11 seeking volunteers willing to be named to the grand jury. Each of those chosen needed to have lived in the United States for a year, be a citizen and be at least 18.

The civil grand jury is part of the judicial branch of government and is an arm of the Superior Court. It is the county’s investigatory body, authorized to examine all aspects of county and city government, special districts and school districts, as well as look into citizens’ complaints of possible governmental misconduct.

Those named to the panel may spend from 20 to 25 hours a week on related duties that are designed to improve the efficiency of local government. They are allowed to serve two consecutive one-year terms.

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