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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.
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Here you can find sample documents, templates, examples of well-written reports, links to local government resources,
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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.
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Learn about CGJA and details about California’s unique system of civil grand juries.
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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.
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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.
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Plumas County
2024-2025 grand jury report controversy continues
Supervisors hear complaints despite limited role
The Plumas Sun, February 15, 2026, by Jane Braxton Little
Controversy over the 2024-2025 Plumas County Civil Grand Jury once again spilled into the county supervisors’ board room Feb. 10, airing questions about who did what and on whose authority. At issue are a published grand jury report sharing the results of two investigations, a published grand jury report sharing three investigations, and a rumored fourth investigation not included in either published report. That fourth investigation relates to the Chester Public Utility District.
Despite the Plumas County Board of Supervisors’ limited role with grand juries, acrimonious disagreements have arisen at three separate meetings since the dual reports were issued in late June. The Feb. 10 meeting, which included nothing about the grand jury on the agenda, was the most recent.
Clint Koble, a resident of Hamilton Branch, used the public comment period to share what he called “considerable speculation” about the grand jury’s official 2025 publication. It was “missing its major report,” he said, an apparent reference to the alleged investigation of the Chester Public Utility District.
The “omission” left members of the jury “marginalized if not dismissed by justice,” said Koble, who served on the 2025 jury. Grand juries are, by state statute, designed to be independent investigative bodies. Koble said he and other jury members were “made to feel we didn’t matter” by the county officials serving in advisory positions.
Koble said a person interviewed by the grand jury sent a “scathing and libelous letter” to the county supervisors; Plumas County Superior Court Judge Douglas Prouty, the presiding judge; and District Attorney David Hollister. The judge and district attorney responded by calling a meeting of the jurors and questioning their interview procedures, said Koble.
That felt “like a reprimand or disrespect and deep humiliation,” he said. Along with the “missing” investigation, the jurors felt as though their findings and recommendations were “thrown out the window without legal cause,” Koble said.
The DA responds
Any suggestion that last year’s grand jury report had a portion omitted by the judge is “a categorically false statement,” said Hollister. Using a section of the Feb. 10 agenda for department head announcements, Hollister said he would have ignored Koble’s comment “like other false tales on social media” if a similar comment had not been shared publicly at the previous board of supervisors meeting.
Hollister was referencing comments made Feb. 3 by Supervisor Tom McGowan during a discussion about authorizing a $900 budget transfer to cover expenses for the 2025-2026 grand jury. McGowan said he was “disappointed” that previous grand jury results had been “shoved under the table.”
“It concerns me” that a grand jury investigation “was shelved and ignored,” McGowan said Feb. 3.
After that meeting Hollister took McGowan to task in the public hallway outside the board room, a conversation that was witnessed by The Plumas Sun among others. A week later, McGowan publicly apologized for “misspeaking.”
“Many in the northern end of the county … are convinced there is an ember, a spark, that something was left unexplained.” (Tom McGowan, Plumas County supervisor)
But he returned to the matter Feb. 10: “I am expressing the frustration of many in the northern end of the county who are convinced there is an ember, a spark, that something was left unexplained.”
Hollister countered: “The suggestion the judge removed a portion of the final report is not only patently false but really unfair to the Superior Court judges and the institution of the grand jury,” he said.
According to the California Department of Justice, a grand jury is an independent body that operates separately from the entities and officials it investigates. It conducts its investigations under the auspices of the superior court. The district attorney and county counsel can act as advisors on request.
The jury’s final report must be approved by at least 12 of its 19 members. Prior to publication, it is submitted to the presiding judge, who may or may not approve it, Hollister said.
“By law, neither can forbid publication.” (David Hollister, Plumas County district attorney)
Whether the final report is approved by the presiding judge or the county counsel or the DA has no bearing on publication, he added. “By law, neither can forbid publication,” said Hollister, citing the California Grand Jury Manual and a court case involving Santa Barbara County.
Two grand jury reports
The 2024-2025 grand jury report has been controversial since June, when jurors issued not one but two reports. The version sent by the grand jury to Plumas County Clerk of the Board Allen Hiskey included two investigations; it has been posted on the county website since June 26. The version grand jury members sent to The Plumas Sun included an additional third investigation; it has been posted on The Plumas Sun website since July 11.
Neither published report released by members of the grand jury included the “missing” investigation Koble referenced, said to be about the CPUD. The report published by The Plumas Sun ends with “without CPUD (1).”
The Feb. 10 discussion at the supervisors’ meeting did nothing to clarify how the grand jury released two different versions of its report to the public, but it did make clear the proper procedure for supervisors — at least going forward. In the future, only a report confirmed by the superior court judge will be posted on the Plumas County website, said Board of Supervisors Chair Mimi Hall.
The supervisors have limited involvement with grand juries. They are tasked with responding to any investigations that involve county operations or departments. They also provide an annual budget and post final reports, Hall said.
State law allows the supervisors to set the size of the grand jury. In November, at Hollister’s recommendation, they reduced the size of the 2025-2026 grand jury from 19 to 11 members. The action was designed to help enable the jury to meet a quorum, which is 12 with a 19-member panel, seven with an 11-member panel, Hall said.
Koble disagreed with the reduction, asking the supervisors to rescind their decision. “The system needs to be fixed, not destroyed,” he said.
2024-2025 grand jury report controversy continues | The Plumas Sun
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Controversy over the 2024-2025 Plumas County Civil Grand Jury once again spilled into the county supervisors’ board room Feb. 10, airing questions about0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Watchdogs Wanted, Call for Marin County Civil Grand Jury | Pacific Sun share.google/KWjISFzI5haDMRaZs
Applications are now open for the Marin County Civil Grand Jury, a little-known but consequential institution that serves as Marin’s only independent watchdog over local government.
Each year, 19 Marin residents are selected to serve a one-year term investigating the operations of county and city governments, special districts and certain nonprofit organizations that receive public funds. Empowered by the judicial system and operating independently of elected officials, administrators and legislators, the Civil Grand Jury examines citizen complaints, conducts its own studies of local issues and publishes investigative reports with findings and recommendations intended to improve transparency, efficiency and accountability in government.
The Civil Grand Jury is strictly civil in scope and should not be confused with a criminal grand jury. While a criminal grand jury reviews indictments brought by the county district attorney to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial, the Civil Grand Jury focuses on how public agencies function. Jurors review records, conduct interviews, deliberate in committees and collaborate on written reports that are released publicly once completed.
No legal background is required to serve. According to the Superior Court, jurors are selected for their curiosity, objectivity, sound judgment and commitment to public service. Members are chosen through a formal process that includes an application, background check and interviews. The foreperson is appointed by the Marin County Superior Court, and juror names are announced at the start of each term.
Civil grand jurors attend weekly investigative committee meetings. Because jurors are sworn to secrecy during their term, there are no published meeting agendas or minutes, and the public cannot request jury records. This confidentiality is designed to protect the integrity of investigations and encourage candid participation. Once reports are issued, however, they become part of the public record, and agencies named in them are required to provide formal responses.
The Civil Grand Jury’s budget is included in the annual budget of the County Counsel’s office. The jury does not receive fees, taxes, bonds or grants, and it does not issue requests for proposals or solicit outside bids. Jurors are paid $20 per day for each day they attend a committee meeting and are reimbursed for mileage.
Watchdogs Wanted, Call for Marin County Civil Grand Jury | Pacific Sun
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Applications are now open for the Marin County Civil Grand Jury, which serves as Marin’s only independent watchdog over local government.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
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Nineteen Sacramento County residents and 11 alternates will be selected from among qualified applicants. The one-year term for volunteer jurors runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
The Grand Jury is appointed to provide oversight of Sacramento County, its cities, public schools, including community colleges, and special district agencies and operations.
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The Grand Jury is authorized to hear criminal indictments and is tasked with visiting regional detention facilities, along with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office Crime Lab and the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office.
The Grand Jury also investigates complaints submitted by the public and issues reports of its findings. Past Grand Jury reports and government responses can be found online at sacgrandjury.org/reports.aspx.
To serve on the Grand Jury, you must be a U.S. citizen 18 years of age or older, a resident of Sacramento County for at least one year, and available for 20-30 hours a week. Applicants must also be able to speak, read, and write the English language.
Applications must be received by January 2, 2026, to be considered. The 2026-27 Grand Jury will be empaneled in June 2026. Grand Jurors receive a small stipend for their volunteer work.
For more information about the Sacramento County Grand Jury, applicant criteria, and how to apply, please visit bit.ly/SCGrandJury2627.
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Applicants are now being sought for new jurors to serve on the Sacramento County Grand Jury.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
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San Joaquin County Superior Court Seeking Applicants to Serve on the 2026-2027 Civil Grand Jury
Posted on: Jan 27, 2026
Stockton, CA — The Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin, is accepting applications for service on the 2026–2027 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury. The deadline to apply is March 27, 2026.
Applicants must be able to work in person and have the ability to participate remotely via telephone or video appearance. A smartphone and internet access are required. To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a United States citizen, and a resident of San Joaquin County for at least one year. Applicants must possess sufficient knowledge of the English language and may not be currently serving as a trial juror or as an elected public official. Qualified applicants may be interviewed by a Superior Court judge. Background investigations, including law enforcement record checks, will be conducted by the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.
Members of the 2026–2027 Civil Grand Jury will begin their service on July 1, 2026. The Grand Jury is composed of 19 citizens whose names are randomly selected from a list of qualified applicants.
Applications are available by calling (209) 992-5695 or by visiting the court’s website at www.sjcourts.org/general-info/civil-grand-jury
San Joaquin County Superior Court Seeking Applicants to Serve on the 2026-2027 Civil Grand Jury
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Stockton, CA — The Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin0 CommentsComment on Facebook
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Applications for new Civil Grand Jurors in Stanislaus Counry for the 2026-27 term now available.
Want government accountability? Here’s how to join the Stanislaus Civil Grand Jury
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Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury is now taking applications for the fiscal year.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
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News
Kern County supervisors to reject Grand Jury’s suggestions to restore Public Health budget
by: Sangmin KimPosted: Jan 23, 2026 / 03:54 PM PST Updated: Jan 23, 2026 / 03:54 PM
PSTBAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County Board of Supervisors is rejecting the Grand Jury’s recommendations to restore the Public Health Department’s budget as well as the affected programs and services, according to a proposed response included in the meeting agenda for Tuesday.In late March of 2025, the county received notice that some funding it received from the federal government through the state had a stop work order placed on it, according to Director of Kern County Public Health Brynn Carrigan. The county was receiving about $10.5 million per year to provide different services to the community, Carrigan said.In August, the Board approved a 25% budget cut to the Department of Public Health. The budget decreased from $51.1 million to $38.2 million in a year.| Kern County Grand Jury urges officials to restore Public Health budget, services >The department also laid off 27 employees and deleted eight vacant positions.On Nov. 24, the Kern County Grand Jury published a report titled “Public Health – Budget Cuts vs. Safety Nets,” in which it investigates the state of the county’s health care services following the department’s budget cuts.
In the report, the jury said the budget cut’s impact is concerning. It also said the department’s safety net for the community, which provides services for those without care, has greatly weakened.The county disagreed with some of the jury’s findings.The county agreed restoring funds to budget levels in 2024-2025 could help maintain services and reducing workforce will, in turn, keep programs and services from being fully reintroduced.The response also agreed the Public Health Department and Kern Medical provide the same clinical services.While the county agreed the department received a significant federal and state funding cut, the changes the county made were “carefully planned” to minimize the impact.The county also admitted reducing appointment availability through the department could lead to longer wait times, but said those who need care sooner can be referred to other providers like Kern Medical, Clinica Sierra Vista and Omni Family Health.The response said losing the grant writer position wouldn’t completely eliminate the county’s ability to find new grants because the County Administrative Office has another position that helps find and apply for grants.The Grand Jury made several recommendations to the county regarding the public’s health care services:• Restore the DPH budget to 2024-2025 level adjusted for inflation by May 1, 2026 to ensure proper restoration of services for the residents of Kern County• Provide additional funding for testing and treatment of STDs, diabetes, and Valley Fever by May 1, 2026.• Implement Public Service Announcements (PSAs) through local media platforms by Dec. 1, 2025, to inform the public of other clinic locations available to receive treatment• Restore clinic services to Shafter by Feb. 1, 2027• Restore services through their mobile unit by Feb. 1, 2027• Re-establish the grant writer position by Dec. 1, 2025, to acquire funding through available grants• Investigate merging the DPH clinical services into Kern Medical by June 30, 2026The Board rejected five of the seven recommendations by the Grand Jury. The remaining two recommendations need “further analysis,” the proposed response said.The Board said it will not restore the department’s budget to the previous year’s level adjusted for inflation, saying restoration would require reductions in other areas due to lost federal and state funding.It also rejected restoring clinic services in the city of Shafter. The response said services have been limited and the number of patient visits have gone down since 2015 — there were 455 patient visits in 2015 and only 33 in 2024 — prior to funding cut.
Public Health has worked with Omni Family Health who operates a federally qualified healthcare facility in Shafter and developed a referral process for all Shafter residents to use Omni Family Health’s services, the response said.The county also continues to provide field nursing services in all areas of Kern, including Shafter, according to the response.County officials said they won’t consider merging Public Health’s clinical services into Kern Medical. They said a full closure of the department’s clinical services could have “catastrophic impacts” on the county’s ability to respond to a mass medical emergency and would require more consideration.The response said merging would make the county ineligible to receive emergency medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile — including emergency medications, vaccines or other therapeutic interventions — as the department would lack equipment, staff, training or licenses to manage those supplies.Merging services into Kern Medical would also worsen the county’s challenges with its health care infrastructure in large-scale emergencies, the response said.“Kern County Public Health has the flexibility and support to quickly establish mass distribution centers, shelters, and alternative care sites, while regular healthcare facilities continue their regular care duties,” the response read.“Without a clinic, associated clinical staffing, and clinic infrastructure (supplies, medical record system, licenses), the Department will no longer have the ability to immediately administer vaccinations or medications to the public.Officials also said they wouldn’t re-establish the grant writer position.The county will further analyze the possibility of restoring mobile unit services and providing more funding for sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes and Valley Fever testing and treatment, the response said.The Board of Supervisors is slated to approve the proposed response on Tuesday to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Kern County Superior Court, according to the agenda.The meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. at 1115 Truxtun Ave.
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