The selection process for the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury has started. Citizens interested in serving on the Civil Grand Jury are encouraged to contact the Grand Jury Office at 558-7766 or go on line to download an application form.

All persons who qualify to serve on the grand jury will be interviewed by a Judge of the Superior Court and the Assistant Court Executive Officer. From the individuals interviewed, Judge Marie Sovey Silveira, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, will select 30 finalists. The 19-member Civil Grand Jury panel and four alternates will then be selected from these 30 names on Monday, June 27 in open court by a random selection process.

Civil Grand Jurors must meet the same qualifications as trial jurors. The term of office for civil grand jurors is one year (July 1 to June 30). Grand jurors must be available at least 20 hours per month. The primary function of the Civil Grand Jury is to act as the public “watchdog” by investigating and reporting upon the affairs of local governmental agencies, including County and City government, special districts and school districts.

The deadline for submitting applications is April 30, 2016. Applications are available at: http://www.stanct.org/sites/default/files/u21/Affidavit_1617.pdf.