WHAT IS THE GRAND JURY?
The Grand Jury in Marin and other California counties is the only independent civil “watchdog” investigative body.
It monitors the performance of local government and makes recommendations that can save taxpayers’ dollars and improve services.
Constitutionally mandated and empowered by the courts, the Grand Jury submits meaningful solutions to a wide range of problems. It is manned by volunteers sworn in by the court, and is independent of administrators, politicians and legislators. Its members study the workings of cities, school districts, special districts and county agencies. Each year Grand Juries publish their findings in a bound report, complete with recommendations for change.
Most citizens think that grand juries handle high-profile criminal indictments, such as those handed down in the O.J. Simpson case.
The Marin County Grand Jury, however, does not handle criminal cases.
A separate Grand Jury is impaneled for criminal cases.
No Grand Jury has the power to send anyone to jail.
Grand Juries are mandated to tour public prisons in their counties.
They select other areas of study based on citizen complaints, their own observations, or recommendations from previous Grand Juries. They sit in on city council and school board meetings, delve into county records and conduct interviews.
Grand Jury members are sworn to secrecy for life.
They do not have to reveal their sources of information, and only the final written report has to be made public.
Citizens are much more willing to file complaints or problems knowing that their input will be confidential, and witnesses are more willing to talk freely.
The biggest value of the Grand Jury is its presence. Agencies often straighten things out before a report issues, simply because the Grand Jury is asking questions. When members attend a meeting, people know that they're being watched.
Copies of Grand Jury reports are available at public libraries and at the Superior Court offices.
Some Grand Juries are beginning to publish their reports on the Internet. See www.cgja.org for links to Grand Jury reports.
