County grand jury seeks applicants
Community members are being sought for the San Benito County
civil grand jury, a watchdog group empowered to make sure local
government is working in the best interest of its constituents.
The grand jury, which empanels 19 people to serve a one-year
term starting in July, is selected by Superior Court Judge Steven
Sanders but is not answerable to administrators or legislators. Its
principal purpose, officials say, is to protect the public
interest.
County grand jury seeks applicants
Community members are being sought for the San Benito County civil grand jury, a watchdog group empowered to make sure local government is working in the best interest of its constituents.
The grand jury, which empanels 19 people to serve a one-year term starting in July, is selected by Superior Court Judge Steven Sanders but is not answerable to administrators or legislators. Its principal purpose, officials say, is to protect the public interest.
“It’s a matter of shaping your own community in regard to government services,” said Gil Solorio, executive officer for the San Benito County superior court. “They investigate all branches of the local government to ensure that they are being managed efficiently, honestly and in the best interest of the community.
Prospective grand jurors must be 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, have been a resident of the county for at least the past year and must have “sufficient knowledge of the English language.” Elected officials are not allowed to serve on the grand jury, whose civil investigations result in recommendations for improvements to save taxpayers’ dollars and to improve services.
A grand jury typically divides into committees, each of which investigates certain departments or functions of local government, including considering complaints submitted by citizens. The jury can subpoena witnesses and seek advice from the district attorney, county counsel or Sanders.
“A lot of people who have served on the grand jury report to me that they learn so much more about their community and feel more connected to it” after serving, Sanders said. “From the larger standpoint, it’s so important to have people from all walks of life to be able to look at local government and assess how it’s doing from the average citizen’s viewpoint. It’s important to have that civil watchdog function.”
The grand jury reports “not only on how things can be done differently, but what’s being done well,” Sanders said. “It’s input our community really needs.”
The grand jury application process is ongoing, with a target date of July 1 for full empanelment of the group, according to Solorio.
“We’re advertising a little earlier than normal because it is becoming somewhat difficult to develop a prospective juror list,” he said. “It’s a combination of people being busy with personal business as well as the time commitment.”
How often the grand jury convenes is up to its members, Solorio said.
“The foreperson would discuss it and set up a schedule,” he said. “The court does not dictate that, nor does statute. The last two grand juries have met no more than once per week. Previous juries met less frequently.”
Sanders will review applications and interview applicants, then conduct a meeting to review the process and responsibilities of being a grand juror. All qualified applicants will then be drawn at random to fill the 19 slots.
Those selected receive $15 for each day that they attend grand jury meetings, as well as mileage reimbursement.
“Neither the court nor county nor city can dictate the agenda for civil grand jury investigations,” Solorio noted. “The grand jury will receive complaints from the community and make their own analysis whether or not to pursue an investigation.”
Sanders emphasized the “grassroots” aspect of the jury’s role.
“They set their own agenda. No one from the government can dictate what they should look at,” he said. “We’re there to help if they have any legal questions, but the statute gives them their broad authority to look at any aspect of local government. To benefit the community the most, we’re striving to get a diversity of constituencies on the grand jury: age, gender and geographically.”
HOW TO APPLY
Those interested in serving on the San Benito County Civil Grand Jury must fill out a questionnaire/application, which is available online at www.sanbenihto.courts.ca.gov or www.sanbenitocountygrandjury.org. A hard copy of the application is available at the county courthouse, 440 Fifth St., Room 205, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A copy of the questionnaire can also be mailed to prospective applicants who call Maria Alfaro at 636-4057, ext. 40.
