Mendocino County Grand jurors needed for 2011-12 term

Ukiah Daily Journal Staff
Updated: 03/08/2011 11:59:50 PM PST

Jurors are needed to serve on the Mendocino County civil grand jury for the coming yearlong term, the Mendocino County Superior Court has announced.

"All qualified citizens interested in serving on the 2011-12 Mendocino County grand jury are invited to submit their applications to the Superior Court for consideration," said Judge Cindee F. Mayfield, chairwoman of the Grand Jury Recruitment/Selection Committee, in a prepared statement.

Applications are due by May 13, with the yearlong term to begin July 1.

The 19-member civil grand jury investigates the operations of the county, city and district governments, and is empowered to provide civil oversight of local government departments and agencies and respond to citizens' complaints.

To qualify, a prospective juror must be a United States citizen, fluent in written and spoken English, at least 18 years old and a Mendocino County resident for at least a year, according to the Superior Court.

Grand jurors may not serve on any other government board or commission, hold public office or be involved in an election campaign during their term.

Before nominations, each qualified applicant is interviewed by a Superior Court judge and undergoes background investigations by the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

The hours are flexible because the grand jury sets its own agenda and schedules its own meetings, and because small committees do much of the work, according to the Superior Court. Training is provided.

More information and applications are available online at www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/grandjury. Applications are also available at the Mendocino County Superior Courthouse, 100 N. State St., Room 303, in Ukiah, or by calling the grand jury at 463-4320.

For more information, call Sally Nevarez at 463-4662.

http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_17571386