Superior Court of CA – County of San Joaquin

Most believe that the grand jury arose as an institution in England and, in the 1600’s the English grand jury developed as a process to determine whether there was probable cause to believe that an accused individual was guilty of a crime.Today, all states and the District of Columbia use grand juries for investigative purposes.As the various states were admitted to the Union, the underlying concept remained the same: having ordinary citizens on grand juries was a necessary part of government to ensure that government officials effectively performed their jobs.

The Grand Jury receives complaints regarding all levels of local government. They may include, but are not limited to, allegations of misconduct by public officials or employees and inefficiencies in local government. Any citizen may submit a complaint by completing a Complaint Form.Complaints are treated as confidential. This allows a complainant to come forward without intimidation. Generally, the Grand Jury provides to the complainant written acknowledgement of receipt of a complaint. However, with so many possible investigations, it is necessary for the grand jury to make hard decisions about what investigations to undertake during their term.

Any citizen may submit a complaint to the Civil Grand Jury. All communications are confidential. A citizen may ask the Grand Jury to conduct an investigation into misconduct or inefficiencies by county governmental agencies. The Grand Jury can act on complaints dealing with a county department, any city within the county, all school districts and special purpose or taxing districts in the county.The Grand Jury may consider complaints of willful or corrupt misconduct against public officials and policies, county and city employees; including the abolition or creation of offices and the equipment for performing duties of county government.The Grand Jury Complaint Form should be submitted by citizens after all attempts to correct a situation have been explored, and without success.Instructions for preparing the Complaint Form:The San Joaquin County Grand Jury Complaint Form can be DOWNLOADED HERE. You can submit the complaint form:

Via E-mail at: civilgrandjury@sjcourts.org or
By visiting or writing:
San Joaquin County Grand Jury
180 E Weber Ave
Stockton, CA 95202

The Presiding Judge of the Superior Court empanels 19 Grand Jurors to serve for one year, fulfilling the duties as outlined under state law. The judge appoints a foreperson who presides over the grand jury. The grand jury elects other officers and organizes itself. The jurors meet in a weekly general session. Smaller investigative committees meet throughout the week.In addition, jurors meet with county and city officials, visit county detention facilities, and conduct independent reviews on matters of interest or concern. Each of the working committees report to the full grand jury. Conclusions are reached after study and thorough discussion of the issues and they may appear as part of the grand jury’s final report.

The benefits of being a grand juror are many:

• You will enjoy the satisfaction and pride of doing an important job.
• There is the experience of being a member of a respected panel.
• You will become part of a body of people with the unique authority to see local government workings not available to most county citizens.
• As a grand juror, you have an opportunity to make a difference for your community.

Grand Jury service is a volunteer position with modest monthly compensation for meetings and round trip mileage. Members receive a wealth of experience and provide a vital service to the citizens of their community.

• Good health
• Open-mindedness
• Knowledge of and interest in local government and community affairs
• Skill in working productively with others in a group setting where respect and patience are essential
• Skill and experience in fact-finding, investigative techniques and report writing

Early in the year, questionnaires are mailed randomly throughout San Joaquin County from information obtained from the Voter Registration and Elections Office and from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Positive responses from people who meet the legal requirements constitute a selection pool from which the Superior Court Judges may nominate. The pool may also include other interested individuals for consideration who have made written application to serve. All candidates are interviewed and go through a background check. By June, a random drawing of nominated candidates is held in open court and a new Grand Jury is impaneled to begin its year of service on July 1.
To be considered for nomination, you must meet the following legal requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Be at least 18 years old;
• Be a resident of San Joaquin County for at least one year immediately prior to the beginning of your service;
• Possess intelligence, sound judgment and good character;
• Have sufficient knowledge of the English language to communicate both orally and in writing;

You cannot be considered for selection:

• If you are serving as a trial juror in any court in the State of California;
• If you have been discharged as a grand juror in any California court within the previous year;
• If you have been convicted of malfeasance in office or any other high crime;
• If you are serving as an elected public officer.

The Civil Grand Jury Questionnaire can be DOWNLOADED HERE.
Send your completed questionnaire to:
San Joaquin County Superior Court
Attn: Civil Grand Jury
180 E Weber Ave, Suite 1306J
Stockton, CA 95202

• Grand Jury Brochure
• Grand Jury Questionnaire

Any citizen may submit a complaint to the Civil Grand Jury. All communications are confidential. A citizen may ask the Grand Jury to conduct an investigation into misconduct or inefficiencies by county governmental agencies.

The Grand Jury can act on complaints dealing with a county department, any city within the county, all school districts and special purpose or taxing districts in the county.

The Grand Jury may consider complaints of willful or corrupt misconduct against public officials and policies, county and city employees; including the abolition or creation of offices and the equipment for performing duties of county government.

The Grand Jury Complaint Form should be submitted by citizens after all attempts to correct a situation have been explored, and without success.

Instructions for preparing the Complaint Form:

• Include your name, address and phone number
• Name the agency and/or person(s) you are complaining against
• Explain the nature of your complaint and provide detailed information
• List any other action requested or taken in an attempt to resolve the issue
• Provide contact information of witnesses who can substantiate your complaint
• Complaint Form

• Contact us at civilgrandjury@sjcourts.org
• Civil Grand Jurors’ Association of California
• Watch this to learn more about California Grand Jurors