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Who may be on the
Grand Jury?
By law a citizen
eighteen year of age or older who has been a resident of the County for one
year immediately prior to being selected, who is a person of ordinary
intelligence and good character, and who possesses sufficient knowledge of the
English language is qualified to be a candidate.
A person may not act
as a grand juror if any of the following apply: (1) the person is currently
serving as a trial juror or (2) has been discharged as a grand juror in any
court within one year; (3) the person has been convicted of misconduct in
office or any felony; or (4) the person is serving as an elected public
officer.
The nineteen Grand
Jurors are required to complete financial disclosure forms, (Form 700,
Statement of Economic Interest) in compliance with California Government Code
Sections 81000-91015. This form must be filled within 30 days of being sworn as
a jury member and within 30 days of the completion of Grand Jury service.
What is the time
commitment and remuneration of a Grand Juror?
Each July nineteen
citizens of Ventura County are sworn as grand jurors for twelve months service
ending June 30 of the following year. Service is a full-time job with each
Grand Jury establishing its own work schedule. Ventura County, with its
numerous facilities and agencies, and problems, is so big an so complex that
the members of the Grand Jury must be prepared to devote their time and
energies to the needs and demands of the Grand Jury.
It is essential that
all Grand Jurors be in attendance. A full body of jurors is vital to productive
discussion of issues and decision-making. Most Grand Juries meet four or five
days each week 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Grand Jury offices located near
the County Government Center. A grand juror receives $25.00 for each day
served, plus mileage and designated parking.
How is a person
chosen for the Grand Jury?
The Presiding Judge
approves the Grand Jury nomination, selection and orientation procedure.
Nominees are sought from various demographic groups represented in the county
population. These demographic factors include supervisorial district, sex,
race, age, and family income groups. The court will solicit suggested
nominations from Government Officials and the public. Applications of all
proposed nominees are forwarded for appropriate background investigation.
Working from a demographic profile a committee of judges reviews the nominees
and analyzes the prospective grand juror questionnaires. Thirty persons are
then selected for a proposed Grand Jury panel and presented to the presiding
judge by the jury commissioner. The recommended selection is adjusted and
approved by the presiding judge. Up to ten members of the prior year Grand Jury
can be selected to carry over into the next year. A mandatory two-day
orientation is presented to the thirty members of the proposed Grand Jury panel
on the organization and functions of the Grand Jury. Those positions in the
panel, which are not filled with members from the prior year, are filled by a
random drawing. Those who are not selected are requested to remain available to
fill any position, which may become vacant during the year. The nineteen
members are then sworn in and charged by the presiding judge.
Members of the
public interested in applying for Grand Jury service may contact Jury Services
or download the questionnaire*
form this site. See the tab section "Forms".
Applications can be
requested by telephone at (805) 654-5025 or by mail from the Jury
Services Department of the Superior Court or downloaded from this web site. The
address is:
Ventura
Superior Court
Jury Services Department
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, California 93009
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