I’ve
written before about why you — yes, you reading this — should consider serving
on Fresno County’s civil grand jury.
I
do so now with a greater sense of urgency because the light that grand juries
shine on local governance is needed as never before.
Not
because anyone’s getting away with murder, but because we’re all too busy to
pay close attention to all those local entities we support with taxes and
because reduced news media resources limit coverage.
Grand
juries have been around for about 900 years, beginning in England with
investigating prisons. All those centuries later, that’s something the civil
grand jury still does along with operations of the county, its 15 incorporated
cities, nearly three-dozen school districts and 129 special districts for
everything from cemeteries to snow removal.
Next
time you get your property tax bill, notice the many entities you support
through taxes.
I’m
hopeful The Bee’s Fresnoland initiative will help increase public awareness of
local government, but the grand jury’s already established to provide
accountability.
The
grand jury is 19 citizens charged by the Superior Court with investigating
local governance and producing reports that require responses, whether the
jury’s findings are positive or negative.
Recent
grand juries — there’s a new one every year — have reported on election
security, a 9-1-1 communications center staffing, a hospital district’s
financial operations, elder abuse, school district business policies and whether
tax revenue was being spent as voters thought.
Some
investigations have broad implications for Fresno County residents, some are
more focused on smaller constituencies. In either case, though, it’s important
work and it’s not being done elsewhere.
Becoming
a grand juror begins with an online visit to fresno.courts.ca.gov/jury/grand_jury/
You’ll
find a big red application button hovering above detailed information about the
grand jury and who’s eligible to serve. Applications will be accepted through
March.
Grand
jurors are United States citizens at least 18 years old, county residents for a
year prior to July 1, “in possession of natural faculties, ordinary
intelligence, sound judgment, fair character” and have “sufficient knowledge of
the English language.”
It
helps if you’re curious, able to get along with others, fair-minded, have
sufficient time to produce meaningful reports, have good computer skills and
can keep secrets.
The
court invites each applicant to be interviewed by a judge. The applicant pool
of 30 is determined by judges after the interviews. Each prospective juror
undergoes a criminal background check.
The
19 grand jurors are determined by a random draw in June. Those not selected are
alternates, who may be called during the year should a juror leave the panel.
Each
grand jury begins July 1 and meets weekly in downtown Fresno. When
investigations are being conducted and reports written, grand jurors typically
spend 20-40 hours a month.
Grand
jurors learn about government through presentations and field trips to see
operations. The grand jury also is mandated to visit the county’s one state
prison.
Grand
jurors and alternates undergo training from the California Grand Jurors’
Association to learn about investigating and report writing.
Jurors
receive a $15 daily stipend, mileage reimbursement and a parking place.
Grand
jury service isn’t for everyone, certainly, but it’s an opportunity to do more
than just complain about city hall, to learn about things you’ve never thought
about and to laud praiseworthy government.
I’ve
found service on three grand juries rewarding. Besides the satisfaction of
seeing citizens or governments respond positively to investigations, there’s
the opportunity to work with accomplished, talented people, put career skills
to good use and do public service that matters.
I
recommend Bee readers consider serving.
Fresno Bee
Lanny Larson is a
former Fresno Bee editor and reporter
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