Applications are being accepted from El Dorado County residents interested in serving on the county’s 2016-17 grand jury.
The grand jury is an investigatory body that typically examines systems and processes of public entities. It operates to ensure that county, special district and city governments are being effectively run. A representative of the public, the grand jury is an arm of the El Dorado Superior Court but operates independently of direct court supervision.
The grand jury has no enforcement authority, but rather makes recommendations through a public final report, usually published in June each year.
Jurors are regularly called upon to confer with government officials and other people regarding matters under investigation. Although being a grand juror is not a full-time job, officials note that it does require a substantial time commitment. That time includes attending full jury and committee meetings, investigating complaints and preparing written reports. Jurors can expect to serve six to 15 hours per week, spread over two or three days. The foreperson and those chairing investigative committees typically serve more hours per week.
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Jurors are compensated for meetings at the maximum rate of $15 per day. Mileage is compensated at the rate payable to employees of El Dorado County for miles traveled for purposes of grand jury sessions and committee work.
Jurors serve for one year, July 1 through June 30. Required training will be provided by the California Grand Jurors Association on June 30 and July 1 in Placerville.
Applicants must be United States citizens, at least 18 years old and have lived in El Dorado County for at least one year at the time their service begins. Jurors cannot hold an elective office.
El Dorado Superior Court judges will select names from those submitted – as well as other nominees and currently seated grand jurors who may be held over – to be placed in the jury pool. Nineteen jurors then will be selected in a random drawing from the pool.
Applications are available from the Superior Court, 2850 Fairlane Court, No. 110, Placerville. The application is also available online at www.edcgov.us/GrandJury, may be requested via email at sthurman@eldoradocourt.org, or by calling 530-621-7414. Applications must be submitted by April 15.
For more information, or to talk with a current or former grand juror, call the jury room at 530-621-7477, or email edcgja@gmail.com.
Cathy Locke: 916-321-5287, @lockecathy
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