On February 7, 2023, the Board of Supervisors’ meeting included a presentation proclaiming February 2023 as Civil Grand Jury Awareness Month. Two LWVDV members, Anne Granlund and Laurie Griffin, who have both served on the Civil Grand Jury, participated in this presentation.

Supervisor Gioia spoke about outreach and the importance of citizen participation in improving local government. The California Constitution and Penal Code requires that one Civil Grand Jury be impaneled in each county every year. The purpose is to inquire into matters of civil concern related to sections of the penal code. A final report is presented at the end of each term.

Three major challenges to convening a Civil Grand Jury are awareness, recruitment, and representation.  The presentation by members of the Civil Grand Jurors' Association spoke about the importance of recruitment. Bob Finlayson, a director of the California Grand Jurors' Association, asked for help from supervisors in encouraging citizens to apply. There was discussion about the need to continue the ability to participate by Zoom and the need for an increase in the stipend participants receive. 

More information is available online from the website California Courts Civil Grand Jury. If you’re interested, use the link on the website, or take the shortcut and contact Anne Granlund at president [at] lwvdv.org.  Application packets are also available at the LWVDV office; they are due March 24, 2023 (call 925-283-2235 to arrange to pick up a packet). 

(Above image is "Martinez Courthouse" by kevin t murray, licensed under CC BY 2.0.)