TUSCALOOSA - Key Persons
The Grand Jury is a panel of eighteen randomly selected Tuscaloosa County citizens who are summoned to report for jury duty. In Tuscaloosa County, there are four terms of Grand Jury each year. Each panel serves two one-week sessions over a three month term but is subject to be called back at any time during the term.
The Grand Jury hears criminal charges brought by law enforcement agencies such as the Tuscaloosa and Northport Police Departments, The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, The Alabama State Troopers, The Alabama Bureau of Investigation, and police departments from municipalities from across Tuscaloosa County. The panel does not decide guilt or innocence. The Grand Jury hears a small portion of the case to determine if there is probable cause for an indictment or formal legal charge.
At the end of each term of service, the Grand Jury issues indictments, or "true bills," on all cases for which they have found that probable cause exists. For those cases where the Grand Jury does not find probable cause, the panel issues "no bills."
The work of the Grand Jury is conducted behind closed doors and all proceedings are kept secret to protect the innocent who may be accused, to encourage witnesses to speak freely & truthfully without fear, and to prevent those persons who have committed criminal acts from fleeing from the due administration of justice. Only prosecutors presenting the cases and their witnesses are allowed in the Grand Jury room. Discussing anything about Grand Jury proceedings before that information is filed with the Circuit Clerk's office is a criminal offense.
John was born in Birmingham and raised in Bessemer & Hoover. He graduated from W.A. Berry High School in Hoover in 1993. He received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from The University of Alabama in 1999 and his J.D. from The Birmingham School of Law in 2002. John and his wife, Suzanne, have two children. John enjoys watching Alabama football and basketball, playing tennis, saltwater fishing, and cooking anything you can throw on an open flame.
Job Titles:
- Director - Child Support Unit
Paige is from Winfield, Alabama and graduated from Winfield City High School. She received her B.A. in Political Science from The University of Alabama in 1992; and, received her J.D. from The University of Alabama School of Law in 1995. Paige has two children, one enrolled in the Tuscaloosa County School System and one in college studying Nursing. Paige is active in the Church of the Highlands; and, volunteers for No Greater Love Rescue and Alabama Society for Prevention and Cruelty to Animals (ALSPCA).
Maegan is a Tuscaloosa native-born and raised. She attended Paul W. Bryant High School and received a Bachelor of Arts in English from The University of Alabama. After completing her undergraduate degree, Maegan went on to pursue her Juris Doctorate at Samford University's Cumberland School of Law. Today, Maegan is happily married to Kraigen Smalley and has a young daughter. In her free time, Maegan enjoys gardening, spending time with her family, and working out. She is also an active member of Unity Baptist Church and their outreach ministries. Maegan is excited to be helping the community that has given so much to her.
Job Titles:
- Chief Assistant District Attorney
Paula was born in Fort Worth, Texas and raised in Tuscaloosa, where she graduated from Central High School (Class of 1985). She received a B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama in 1989 and her J.D. from The University of Alabama School of Law in 1992. Paula enjoys traveling, running, and gardening. Paula is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa.