Orange County: Grand jury applicants sought - Deadline to apply is Jan. 20

By VIK JOLLY / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SANTA ANA – The deadline for applications to serve on the 2012-13 grand jury is Jan. 20, and court officials are urging Orange County residents to consider applying.

Superior Court has received far fewer applications than in previous years, according to a news release.

"Serving on the grand jury gives you a unique opportunity to have a significant impact on the lives of Orange County residents," the release says.

Requirements to serve, among others, include: you must be 18, a U.S. citizen and an Orange County resident for at least one year.

Qualifying applicants are interviewed by a panel of Superior Court judges and are subject to a background investigation conducted by the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Grand jury members are selected by a random draw of applicants nominated by the judges, the release said.

Applications, information and past reports are available online at www.ocgrandjury.org.

Application packets are also available at the Jury Commissioner's Office at the Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, or by calling the grand jury hotline, 714-834-6747.