Civil Grand Jury Member Guide

Serving on the Civil Grand Jury is a powerful way to be a catalyst for change. You’ll learn about local government and identify ways to solve problems, improve services, and possibly save taxpayers money. As a juror, you will:

• Use creative problem-solving skills.
• Collaborate with 18 other people from diverse backgrounds from around the county.
• Meet elected officials, law enforcement, and local government leaders.
• Tour either the County Jail or Juvenile Hall.

Jurors are selected to serve a one-year term from July 1 through the last Wednesday of June of the following year.

The time commitment depends on the number of investigations you choose to participate in. You will generally spend 10 or more hours per week conducting research, interviews, and writing for one investigation. Additional investigations will require additional time. Some jurors spend more than 20 hours per week, but this is not required.

The jury meets as a group once per week, either in person or online. This meeting is called the plenary. Investigative committees meet at least once per week, depending on the progress of their investigations. Jurors conduct interviews either in person or via Zoom.

Jurors may take time off from the Civil Grand Jury for vacations and unexpected events, such as medical or family emergencies.

In general, however, jurors are expected to meet their obligations. Jurors who require a long-term absence may need to withdraw from the Jury.

There are specific events that all potential jurors are required to attend:

• An interview with a judge.
• The selection and empanelment of the new jury.
• All training and orientation activities in July.

California law requires every county to publish at least one Civil Grand Jury report per year. Each jury determines how many reports it will publish beyond the one required by law.

At the beginning of the term, jurors will establish committees that focus on broad topic areas. These may include:

• Cities and Special Districts
• County Agencies
• Health & Human Services
• Law and Justice
• Continuity

The jurors vote on the topics of investigation. Topics may originate from the jurors themselves, be submitted as requests for investigation from the general public, or be previous suggestions that were not investigated. Each jury selects the topics it believes are important to investigate. Topics for investigation must be approved by the entire jury.

Publishing meaningful reports is an important role of the Civil Grand Jury. A juror is not required to write a report by themselves. Jurors contribute to each report in various ways.

Generally, there is one lead writer for each report. Other members of the investigative committee are tasked with:

• Conducting research
• Arranging and participating in interviews
• Contributing to discussions
• Taking notes to document various Jury activities
• Analyzing data
• Performing leadership roles

Jurors are expected to have a working knowledge of:

• Email
• Online research
• Word processing

The County of Sonoma provides each juror with a laptop and a county email address. Jurors are required to use their county laptops to protect the confidentiality of Civil Grand Jury files, information, and emails.

Computer training is provided as part of the orientation process.