SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Sacramento County’s Superior Court announced today that it has officially opened its application process seeking new jurors to serve on the 2022-23 Sacramento County Grand Jury. Nineteen Sacramento County residents, and 11 alternates, will be selected from among the qualified applicants to volunteer for the term which runs from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

The Grand Jury is the independent watchdog over the county’s government agencies and services. Jurors investigate the performance of county, city, and local governing entities ranging from school districts to the criminal justice system to health and welfare agencies. Additionally, the Sacramento County Grand Jury is authorized to hear criminal indictments, and jurors have the rare opportunity to visit detention facilities throughout the region.

“The Grand Jury is entrusted by the public to investigate and report on local government operations and to ensure responsibilities are being fulfilled honestly and with integrity,” explains Grand Jury Foreperson Deanna Hanson. “It is also our duty to make certain the public understands our work and has the opportunity to be involved.”

The current Grand Jury recently issued a report on COVID-19 vaccine mandates for K-12 public schools. It also received significant news media coverage earlier this month on its report regarding the serious safety concerns facing the Del Paso Manor Water District. Anyone may file a complaint against a county government entity with the Grand Jury for review and investigative consideration. All Grand Jury activities are conducted in secrecy.

Jurors act as volunteers and receive a small stipend for their work. To be considered as a Grand Juror, applications must be received by January 28, 2022. Anyone applying must be a Sacramento County resident over the age of 18. Further qualification requirements are available on the Grand Jury website. Those who initially qualify will be interviewed, with the final Grand Jury empanelment taking place on June 3, 2022. To apply, visit the Grand Jury website at: www.sacgrandjury.org.