The Grand Jury
The Grand Jury is
one of the oldest, most respected, and powerful civil institutions in
the United States. More than forty states have some form of Grand Jury.
The State of California mandates that nineteen randomly selected citizens
be impaneled every year as a Grand Jury in Hanford. Grand Jury duties,
powers, responsibilities, qualifications and the selection process are
set forth in the California Penal Code.
The Grand Jury is
part pf the judicial branch of government and has three functions:
1.) To examine all aspects of city and county governments
and special districts by initiating its own investigations.
2.) To serve as ombudsman for the citizens of the cities
and the county.
3.) To conduct criminal investigations and, if the evidence
is sufficient, issue criminal indictments in lieu of a preliminary
Superior Court hearing.
The Grand Jury Process
The Grand Jury
although a part of the judicial system, is an entirely independent body.
The Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, the District Attorney, the
County Counsel and the State Attorney General act only as advisors. They
cannot prevent Grand Jury action unless that action violates the law.
The Grand Jury
reviews and evaluates procedures, methods and systems used by government
agencies to determine whether they comply with the stated objectives of
the agency and if their operation can be made more efficient and effective.
It may inquire into any aspect of county/city government, including special
legislative districts and joint power agencies to ascertain that the best
interests of Kings County residents are being served.
The Grand Jury
functions lawfully only as a body. No individual grand juror, acting alone,
has any power or authority. Meetings of the Grand Jury are not open to
the public. Law requires that all matters discussed before the Grand Jury
and votes taken, to be kept private and confidential. The end results
of inquiries into civil matters are released to the public in the form
of a final report which is approved
before release, by the Presiding Judge, the Supervising Judge of the Superior
Court.
Grand Jurors serve a one (1) year term from July 1st through June 30th. The jury panel consists of nineteen (19) persons who are assigned to various committees. Typically, members meet three times per week. Meetings are usually done by noon. Sometimes a meeting might take most of the day.
It is understood that Grand Jurors may be absent for reasonable periods for vacations. During your term as a Grand Juror you would be excused from trial jury service in the State Courts.
Duties of the Grand Jury
The Grand Jury is a time-honored component of our Anglo-American legal system. Grand Jurors are selected citizens of the County who are expected to exercise sound judgment in reviewing and commenting upon the actions of governmental agencies and returning criminal indictments.
Essentially, the Grand Jury operates as an investigative agency performing a two-fold function. First, the Grand Jury has powers and duties with respect to the oversight of public offices, officers and transactions. Designated State and all County and special District agencies that serve Kings County are routinely reviewed and critiqued by the Grand Jury in its annual and interim reports.
Second, the Grand Jury has powers and duties with respect to inquiry into possible public offenses, misconduct in office by public officers and determining whether to return indictments charging the commission of felonies.
The 2007-2008 Kings County Grand Jury selection process will be conducted May - June 2007. The process involves completing this questionnaire and being interviewed by the designee of the Presiding Judge of the Kings County Courts. After selection, the designee of the Presiding Judge will further instruct jurors of their duties. Throughout its term the Grand Jury may request advice on legal matters from the District Attorney and County Counsel.
The Penal Code requires the Grand Jury to:
Inquire into the condition and management of the public prisons within
the county. Investigate and report on the operations, accounts and records
of county officers, departments and functions. Inquire into the willful
or corrupt misconduct in office of public officers. Submit the final report
of its findings and recommendations, no later than the end of its term,
to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. Agencies to which these
recommendations are directed are required to respond to the County Board
of Supervisors within 90 days after the report is released.
