17% increase in Indictments thus far in 2008

Brentwood -        County Attorney Jim Reams announced today that the Rockingham County Grand Jury has returned 17% more Indictments for the first 4 months of the 2008 than it did in similar months in 2007.  The Grand Jury has returned 827 Indictments so far this year compared to 707 Indictments during the same time period in 2007.  “Each month in 2008 has exceeded it’s counterpart in 2007.  The County Attorney’s Office and the local police departments are flat out investigating and prosecuting the cases. This type of increase challenges our system and people. This does not bode well for the usually busy summer months”, said Reams.