[Kern County] What’s the role of a grand jury?

December 6, 2014

The Bakersfield Californian

Letter to the Editor

Confusion regarding the grand jury system is increasing countrywide as the result of resent events in several states. Unfortunately there is a lack of understanding by the media as well as the public at large about what a grand jury is and what the grand jury's role is during an indictment hearing.

As the president of the Kern County Grand Jury Association and past foreman of the 2012-13 Kern County Grand Jury, I wish to reiterate that during a grand jury indictment hearing the grand jury can only look for probable cause when hearing the case presented by the district attorney. The grand jury does not determine guilt or innocence in the matter.

After hearing all evidence presented by the DA, including witness testimony under oath, and after deliberation, the grand jury will present to the presiding judge of the superior court one of two findings: a true bill (probable cause has been determined) or not a true bill (probable cause not determined). Thus ends the involvement of the grand jury in the matter.

Of the 58 counties in California, the Kern County Grand Jury is one of few which does hear indictments. Applications for the 2015-16 KCGJ will be available in January 2015: www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury.

Lynn Runyan, President

Kern County Grand Jury Association