What We Do
We provide the general public with information and educational materials and activities on the California Civil Grand Jury system that will help increase public awareness of the valuable role the civil grand jury plays in our democratic system of government.
We provide comprehensive training on all subjects relative to empaneled civil grand juries available to all 58 counties within California including civil grand jury training as well as specific workshops on key topics relevant to civil grand jury service.
What Are You
Looking For?
Find valuable information on these subjects
Civil Grand Jury Resources
Here you can find sample documents, templates, examples of well-written reports, links to local government resources,
and FAQs.
Our Annual Conference
Every year in the fall, CGJA holds an Annual Conference and Membership Meeting to provide an opportunity for members and civil grand jurors to meet and discuss experiences and hear from speakers and panels on relevant topics of interest.
Chapter Resources
Includes chapter resource documents, suggested activities for chapters, guidance for forming a chapter along with templates.
Get Involved
Join CGJA as an active member, volunteer for CGJA, become a civil grand juror, join a chapter, or support us through a tax deductible donation.
Grand Jurors' Journal
This bimonthly journal is a major source of information about the civil grand jury system and recent updates on CGJA activities of interest to our members.
CGJA and California's Civil Grand Jury System
Learn about CGJA and details about California’s unique system of civil grand juries.
Our Awards
Annual awards recognizing civil grand jury reporting and media coverage along with the Angelo Rolando Service Award.
We can help you become
an effective civil grand juror
CGJA conducts training seminars for civil grand jurors and alternates on their various civil functions. These seminars include twelve full hours of presentations and over 300 pages of training materials. Experienced and highly qualified trainers who have served as civil grand jurors or grand jury legal advisors present these programs locally, throughout the state as “onsite” seminars or via Zoom if Covid-19 restrictions exist.
We also conduct Foreperson and Pro Tem Workshops, Legal Advisors’ Workshops, and Report Writing Workshops.
Stay Updated with Civil Grand Jury News
CGJA Journal
This bimonthly journal is a major source of information about the civil grand jury system and recent updates on CGJA activities of interest to our members.
The Gift of Your Time
is Priceless
CGJA is an all-volunteer membership organization. We succeed mainly because our members volunteer to serve on our committees and/or train civil grand jurors. Serving on committees almost never requires travel as we communicate via email and computer video. Our trainers do travel to venues throughout the state and we reimburse them for lodging, mileage, and a modest per diem for other expenses.
Making Local Government More Efficient and Effective
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www.newsbreak.com/kero-23-bakersfield-563644/4343603357536-shafter-city-council-oks-100k-hearing-...
The Shafter City Council voted Monday to appoint an administrative hearing officer to investigate formal complaints filed by Councilmember Pete Espinoza against Councilmember Gilbert Alvarado, a process expected to cost the city approximately $100,000.
The council voted 3-2 in favor of bringing in the hearing officer during a brief special meeting. The decision follows a Kern County grand jury report filed earlier this year that identified violations of the city charter.
In June, a Kern County grand jury report outlined several issues within the city government, including one finding that stated: "Although Council Members are familiar with the City Charter, there have been violations of City Charter which have caused concern among City employees."
The city responded to the report in September, noting that council members and staff had adopted guidelines in mid-July and added an ordinance in August specifying procedures for formal complaints against council members.
Two days after the city's response to the grand jury report, Espinoza filed his formal complaint against Alvarado.
"It is my desire that I NOT be associated with any accusations alleged against the Shafter City Council as a whole, as a result of the actions of one Councilmember," Espinoza wrote in the complaint.
The complaint included an ultimatum requesting a public apology from Alvarado or removal proceedings would begin.
During Monday's council meeting, Alvarado addressed the situation directly.
"Council member Espinosa gave me an ultimatum to give a public apology or he will file the complaint. His view was that he had been implicated in the grand jury report. I opt not to give an apology because I have not done what I'm being accused of, and I have repeatedly tried to de-escalate the situation from the beginning, and I believe this was caused by a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication and political motivation to remove me from Council," Alvarado said.
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www.yahoo.com/news/articles/tehama-county-supervisors-approve-response-221600177.html
Tehama County Supervisors Approve Response to Grand Jury Report
Corning Observer, Corning, Calif., September 25, 2025 at 3:16 PM PDT, by Jerry Crow, Corning Observer
TEHAMA COUNTY - If and how to respond to two items on the 2024-25 Tehama County Grand Jury report took up the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting of the Tehama County Board of Supervisors, with the board voting 3-2 to approve the response drafted by Supervisor Matt Hansen. Supervisors Pati Nolen and Rob Burroughs voted against it.
Nolen said she voted no because it was obvious the items were targeted towards one person. She added that the board doesn’t follow its own policies and used the pre-meeting agenda review as an example, saying that she is often left out of things.
Staff proposed that the board discuss each item individually to ensure the full Board’s opinions are represented in the responses. The board, however, chose to not discuss the item.
The actual text of the response was provided in the board packet available online, but not in the printed agenda provided to those attending the meeting. One member of the public expressed confusion over this; Hansen explained that this was a normal procedure.
Public comments ranged from one person asking, “how on earth did things ever get so bad that this reached the Grand Jury?,” to another requesting the board take some personal responsibility in its own conduct when it comes to responding to the findings.
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www.yahoo.com/news/articles/tehama-county-supervisors-approve-response-221600177.html
Tehama County Supervisors Approve Response to Grand Jury Report
Corning Observer, Corning, Calif., September 25, 2025 at 3:16 PM PDT, by Jerry Crow, Corning Observer
TEHAMA COUNTY - If and how to respond to two items on the 2024-25 Tehama County Grand Jury report took up the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting of the Tehama County Board of Supervisors, with the board voting 3-2 to approve the response drafted by Supervisor Matt Hansen. Supervisors Pati Nolen and Rob Burroughs voted against it.
Nolen said she voted no because it was obvious the items were targeted towards one person. She added that the board doesn’t follow its own policies and used the pre-meeting agenda review as an example, saying that she is often left out of things.
Staff proposed that the board discuss each item individually to ensure the full Board’s opinions are represented in the responses. The board, however, chose to not discuss the item.
The actual text of the response was provided in the board packet available online, but not in the printed agenda provided to those attending the meeting. One member of the public expressed confusion over this; Hansen explained that this was a normal procedure.
Public comments ranged from one person asking, “how on earth did things ever get so bad that this reached the Grand Jury?,” to another requesting the board take some personal responsibility in its own conduct when it comes to responding to the findings.
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www.modbee.com/news/politics-government/article312780560.html
StanCOG Names Interim Director After Grand Jury Report Led to Predecessor’s Firing
The Modesto Bee, November 4, 2025 4:31 PM, By Bee Staff
The Stanislaus Council of Governments has appointed an interim executive director, it announced Tuesday. Kate Miller, former executive director of the Napa Valley Transportation Authority, fills the position immediately. It has been vacant since former director Rosa De Leon Park was placed on paid leave in late June and was fired Aug. 6 after an investigation by the county’s civil grand jury found what it called excessive rental car use, costing taxpayers more than $100,000, as well as excessive spending on travel expenses, hotels, conferences and personal items.A StanCOG news release says Miller brings extensive experience in regional transportation planning and a strong reputation for rebuilding trust and fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders. It notes that her appointment “comes at a critical time.” The grand jury report, issued in June, was sharply critical of Park’s management of StanCOG and what it called lavish spending of public funds. It did not include the names of StanCOG staff or local officials who might have stayed in luxury hotels or dined in expensive restaurants at taxpayers’ expense, but further reporting by The Bee using public records revealed more exorbitant spending.
Miller will focus on advancing StanCOG’s transportation initiatives and addressing the grand jury’s recommendations, rebuilding relationships and “restoring public trust through transparent, inclusive leadership,” the news release says.“Kate Miller’s experience in leading transportation organizations and her demonstrated ability to rebuild trust with community stakeholders make her the ideal choice for this role,” county Supervisor Buck Condit, chair of the StanCOG Policy Board, says in the news release. “As we work to address the issues raised in the Grand Jury report, Kate will play a key role in ensuring that we rebuild relationships with the public, our partners, and local agencies. Her focus on accountability and open dialogue will be critical as we move forward with our mission to improve transportation in Stanislaus County.” In the announcement, Miller said, “StanCOG faces some unique challenges, and I am committed to working collaboratively with the Policy Board, staff, the local agencies, and community members to address these concerns. Rebuilding trust requires open, honest communication and a commitment to doing the right thing for the region. Together, we will focus on restoring confidence in StanCOG’s work and ensuring that our transportation initiatives are aligned with the needs and priorities of the communities we serve.”
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www.abc10.com/article/news/local/stancog-dismisses-executive-director-financial-mismanagement-all...
StanCOG Dismisses Executive Director Amid Financial Mismanagement Allegations
StanCOG dismisses director Rosa De León Park after a unanimous board vote.
ABC 10 News, Published: 9:50 PM PDT August 6, 2025, Written by: ABC 10 News Staff
Former executive director of the Stanislaus Council of Governments Rosa De León Park
STANISLAUS COUNTY, Calif. — The executive director of the Stanislaus Council of Governments was dismissed after a civil grand jury alleged rampant financial mismanagement and instability within the agency.
Officials said the board voted unanimously, 9-0, to dismiss Rosa De León Park, effective immediately. She had been on paid administrative leave since June 30, 2025.
“This was a difficult but necessary decision,” said StanCOG Policy Board Chair Buck Condit. “We are focused on moving forward with transparency and stability while the ongoing workplace investigation and forensic audit continue. Our goal is to ensure StanCOG remains a trusted and effective agency for the region.”
Since the dismissal was made for cause, De León Park won't be entitled to severance.
Elizabeth Hahn will continue serving as interim executive director during the leadership transition.
Stanislaus County Supervisor Mani Grewal, who serves on an Ad Hoc committee investigating potential waste and abuse of taxpayer funds, spoke out on the dismissal in a statement.
“We didn’t need to put her on paid leave or have a drawn-out six-figure investigation to know this behavior was wrong,” said Supervisor Grewal. “The facts were clear, the conduct was indefensible, and taxpayers were owed immediate action. Dismissing the Executive Director was the right decision, and it saved both time and taxpayer money. Accountability shouldn’t be delayed when public trust is at stake.”
In a news release, Grewal said the Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury found lavish travel, unauthorized vacation policies and executive benefits that weren't approved by the board.
Due to the issue being a personnel matter, the StanCOG said they won't be providing further comment at this time.
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citizenportal.ai/articles/5805739/San-Francisco-County/California/San-Francisco-Civil-Grand-Jury-...
San Francisco Civil Grand Jury Presents Traffic Safety Findings to Supervisors
September 18, 2025 | Citizen Portal, San Francisco County, California (created by AI)
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors' Government Audit and Oversight Committee convened on September 18, 2025, to discuss critical findings from the civil grand jury's reports, which aim to enhance the city's governance and public safety. Chaired by Supervisor Felder, the meeting highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in local government operations.
The civil grand jury, composed of 19 members, presented three significant reports that scrutinize various aspects of city management. The first report, titled "Failed Vision," critiques the city's Vision Zero program, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities. Foreperson Michael Carboy emphasized that the San Francisco Police Department's failure to enforce traffic regulations has led to a dramatic 95% decrease in ticketing since 2014, contributing to increased road safety risks. The report calls for improved police resources to uphold traffic laws, underscoring the human cost of inadequate enforcement.
The second report, "Capacity to Serve," addresses the city's reliance on nonprofit organizations for essential services. It highlights the need for better management and financial oversight within these nonprofits to ensure effective service delivery and safeguard taxpayer funds. This report suggests that enhancing the skill sets of nonprofit management is crucial for preventing financial mismanagement.
The third report, "Tech in the City," discusses the challenges San Francisco faces in adopting new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. The jury's findings indicate that the city must embrace technological advancements to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
Overall, the civil grand jury's reports reflect a shift in the city's responsiveness to oversight, with nearly two-thirds of the findings accepted by city leaders, a significant improvement from previous years. The committee's discussions signal a commitment to addressing these critical issues, with anticipated actions to implement the recommendations in the upcoming budget cycle.
As the meeting concluded, the committee emphasized the importance of public engagement, inviting residents to provide feedback on the reports and participate in the ongoing dialogue about improving city governance. The next steps will involve further discussions on how to effectively implement the jury's recommendations and enhance the overall functioning of San Francisco's government.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
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