In a recent article on the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury, we focused on the grand jury’s investigative powers, and how our county leadership must be held accountable for their actions or lack of action. Serious consequences of ignoring civil grand jury recommendations were highlighted as leading to both the U. S. Justice Department and the Attorney General of California taking legal action against the county.
Today’s article provides an introduction to the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury, including membership and administrative processes.
Your civil grand jury is composed of 19 citizen volunteers who give their time to serve you, the residents of our county. Civil grand jurors come from all walks of life and work as one voice investigating county and city governments as well as districts to assure that their actions are effective, efficient, and accountable to you.
Civil grand jury service is open to all county residents, 18 and older, who are U.S. citizens and have not been convicted of a felony. Each year during the month of May, the Humboldt County Superior Court reviews applications for membership on the civil grand jury. Interviews are normally held, and acceptable candidate names are then placed in a “hat” before drawing out 19 names. A list of alternates is then created from all remaining applicants. A new civil grand jury is seated during July of each year.
Civil grand jurors are reimbursed for their services. A stipend of $20 is paid for each seven hours of participation during the weekly meetings. Mileage is paid at the rate of approximately 58 cents per mile. Jurors are expected to commit a minimum of 20 hours a week. As investigations begin, your commitment will significantly increase.
A two-day training class introducing you to grand jury law, local governments, the investigation process, and how to interview and write reports is provided once you have been selected for membership. This training is given by the California Grand Jurors’ Association.
Once training is complete, it is time to begin discussions about what the civil grand jury may decide to investigate. First and foremost on the list is a review of all citizens’ complaints. The complaint process and form is available on the county’s website. The civil grand jury is required to read and consider every citizen complaint received. It is not required to act on or investigate all complaints.
When the full civil grand jury meets, it is referred to as plenary. A supermajority of at least 12 jurors is required to take any action during plenary. As an independent entity, the civil grand jury sets it's own meeting schedule and approach to performing investigations. During recent years, the civil grand jury has elected to meet for three hours on Tuesday and Wednesday of each week. In addition, recent juries have formed sub-committees to help facilitate investigations.
The benefits of being a member of the civil grand jury are many. It is a great opportunity to serve and learn more about your community. You will meet people with varying backgrounds, experiences and points of view. You will effect change within both county and city governments and the many service districts throughout the county. You won’t find Perry Mason in the deliberations. No criminal will be found guilty, but you will learn things about government that may startle and amaze. You will see the many good things our government provides its citizens and yet you may end up scratching your head over the ways in which policy could be improved and revenues better spent. A bonus is that you will be excused from serving trial jury duty for two years.
Does this sound like something you may be interested in pursuing? The process is simple, only requiring a two-page application. That application is available on the county website (https://humboldtgov.org/518/Civil-Grand-Jury-Forms), or by visiting the Civil Grand Jury Office at the county courthouse. Applications for the civil grand jury are accepted all year.
Wayne Ventuleth
Wayne Ventuleth writes on behalf of the Humboldt County Grand Jurors’ Association. This monthly column about the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury is provided by the Humboldt County Chapter of the California Grand Jurors’ Association (HCC-CGJA). For information on the Jurors’ Association email us: hcccgja@gmail.com. Correction to previous column: The HCC-CGJA used the term “jail inspections” when referring to state law requirements. The correct terminology is “prison inspections.”
Eureka Time-Standard
May 5, 2019
Today’s article provides an introduction to the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury, including membership and administrative processes.
Your civil grand jury is composed of 19 citizen volunteers who give their time to serve you, the residents of our county. Civil grand jurors come from all walks of life and work as one voice investigating county and city governments as well as districts to assure that their actions are effective, efficient, and accountable to you.
Civil grand jury service is open to all county residents, 18 and older, who are U.S. citizens and have not been convicted of a felony. Each year during the month of May, the Humboldt County Superior Court reviews applications for membership on the civil grand jury. Interviews are normally held, and acceptable candidate names are then placed in a “hat” before drawing out 19 names. A list of alternates is then created from all remaining applicants. A new civil grand jury is seated during July of each year.
Civil grand jurors are reimbursed for their services. A stipend of $20 is paid for each seven hours of participation during the weekly meetings. Mileage is paid at the rate of approximately 58 cents per mile. Jurors are expected to commit a minimum of 20 hours a week. As investigations begin, your commitment will significantly increase.
A two-day training class introducing you to grand jury law, local governments, the investigation process, and how to interview and write reports is provided once you have been selected for membership. This training is given by the California Grand Jurors’ Association.
Once training is complete, it is time to begin discussions about what the civil grand jury may decide to investigate. First and foremost on the list is a review of all citizens’ complaints. The complaint process and form is available on the county’s website. The civil grand jury is required to read and consider every citizen complaint received. It is not required to act on or investigate all complaints.
When the full civil grand jury meets, it is referred to as plenary. A supermajority of at least 12 jurors is required to take any action during plenary. As an independent entity, the civil grand jury sets it's own meeting schedule and approach to performing investigations. During recent years, the civil grand jury has elected to meet for three hours on Tuesday and Wednesday of each week. In addition, recent juries have formed sub-committees to help facilitate investigations.
The benefits of being a member of the civil grand jury are many. It is a great opportunity to serve and learn more about your community. You will meet people with varying backgrounds, experiences and points of view. You will effect change within both county and city governments and the many service districts throughout the county. You won’t find Perry Mason in the deliberations. No criminal will be found guilty, but you will learn things about government that may startle and amaze. You will see the many good things our government provides its citizens and yet you may end up scratching your head over the ways in which policy could be improved and revenues better spent. A bonus is that you will be excused from serving trial jury duty for two years.
Does this sound like something you may be interested in pursuing? The process is simple, only requiring a two-page application. That application is available on the county website (https://humboldtgov.org/518/Civil-Grand-Jury-Forms), or by visiting the Civil Grand Jury Office at the county courthouse. Applications for the civil grand jury are accepted all year.
Wayne Ventuleth
Wayne Ventuleth writes on behalf of the Humboldt County Grand Jurors’ Association. This monthly column about the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury is provided by the Humboldt County Chapter of the California Grand Jurors’ Association (HCC-CGJA). For information on the Jurors’ Association email us: hcccgja@gmail.com. Correction to previous column: The HCC-CGJA used the term “jail inspections” when referring to state law requirements. The correct terminology is “prison inspections.”
Eureka Time-Standard
May 5, 2019
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