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Jurors are selected to serve for a one year term (July to June).
The Marin Civil Grand Jury generally meets as a group once per week in a designated room at the Marin Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, California 94903. Committees (comprised of Grand Jurors) generally meet once per week at the same location. As reports progress, interviews with those who can provide relevant information are conducted by Grand Jurors either at the Civic Center or at the interviewee’s office.
California law requires one Civil Grand Jury report be published per year by each County. Each Civil Grand Jury has the prerogative to decide the number of reports it will publish beyond the one required by law.
Depending on the number of reports you and your fellow Grand Jurors decide to initiate, the time commitment varies. On your Grand Jury application you indicate your willingness to work 10+ or 20+ hours/week (which includes Civic Center meetings and researching, writing, and editing documents from home).
Grand Jurors are expected to be computer-literate, having a working knowledge of:
Specific online tool training for Grand Jurors is provided.
While the work of each Grand Jury requires a stable core of committed Jurors, there is flexibility for vacations and unforeseen events. All jurors are required to attend the training at the beginning of the Grand Jury term.
At the beginning of the Grand Jury term, the 19 members establish committees that focus on broad topic areas (e.g., health, law, education, finance, environment, etc.). Often investigations are initiated as the result of citizen’s requests for investigations. Each Jury has the power to select whatever topics it feels are important to investigate.
The Civil Grand Jury is effectively a citizens’ watchdog group that investigates county, city and special district governments to insure they are operating efficiently, and administering citizen tax dollars appropriately. The function of a Criminal Grand Jury is to review indictments brought by the County District Attorney to determine if there is sufficient evidence to hold a trial.
No, every Juror is not required to write a report, though all Jurors contribute to each report in a wide variety of ways. Publishing meaningful reports is an important Grand Jury task and usually one lead writer volunteers to spearhead each report. However, every Juror brings unique skills to the Grand Jury. Other examples of tasks performed by Jurors include conducting research, arranging interviews, conducting interviews, contributing to discussions, taking notes to document various Jury activities, analyzing data, performing leadership roles, and attending tours of San Quentin, County Jail and Juvenile Hall.
Those interested in applying can call (415) 473-6132 to request an application or go to the Grand Jury website to complete the application. The deadline for submission of applications is April 22 each year.
Any U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older, who has been a resident of the County for one year immediately before being selected, of intelligence and good character, with a working knowledge of the English language, is eligible to serve on the Civil Grand Jury.