The San Francisco Superior Court is accepting applications for Civil Grand Jury service for the 2018-19 term, Judge Susan M. Breall announced today.
“As chair of the Court’s Civil Grand Jury Committee, I would like to encourage San Franciscans who are interested in City government and want to make a difference in this vibrant City to apply to become a member of the Civil Grand Jury,” said Judge Breall. “The Civil Grand Jury offers a unique and exciting opportunity to investigate City government, address inefficiencies, and hold the City accountable. This is a remarkable way to become intimately involved in City affairs.”
The application deadline is May 18, 2018.
In order to serve, volunteers must be U.S.
citizens; at least 18 years of age; have lived in San Francisco for at least the past 12 months;
have no felony convictions; and be able to effectively communicate in English.
Applications and more detailed information about the Civil Grand Jury are available at http://civilgrandjury.sfgov.org/.
In 2017, the Judges who serve on the Court’s Civil Grand Jury Committee increased
knowledge and public awareness of the Civil Grand Jury by speaking at numerous neighborhood and community meetings. This year the judges will continue these efforts and will further expand its reach by engaging the diverse communities that make up this City.
A requirement of the California Constitution, the Civil Grand Jury provides a “watchdog”
function and has broad latitude to examine City departments, agencies and officials. The Civil Grand Jury issues a report detailing its findings and recommendations. Each affected City department or official is required to formally respond to each recommendation contained in the reports. The reports are then presented in public hearings before the Board of Supervisors.
The Civil Grand Jury is an independent body and selects its own topics for investigation. To conduct its investigations, the Jury interviews City officials, department heads, staff and others who have information relevant to the investigation. The Jury also has the authority to request data, reports, statistics, and other records to assist in its work.
The Civil Grand Jury’s term runs from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. Interested volunteers should be able to commit time consistently throughout the 1-year term. The Civil Grand Jury usually meets once per week, with additional meetings and interviews scheduled as necessary.
A combination of diverse backgrounds, skills, and interests makes for the most effective grand juries. Volunteers who enjoy researching, learning about City government, writing, editing, analyzing data, or meeting people committed to making San Francisco a better place to live are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Civil Grand Jury Committee, appointed by Presiding Judge Teri L. Jackson, is comprised of Judge Breall; Judge Richard Darwin; Judge Gail Dekreon; Judge Samuel K. Feng; Judge Daniel A. Flores; Judge Christopher C. Hite; Judge Victor Hwang; Judge Stephen M. Murphy; Judge A. James Robertson, II; Judge Edward A. Torpoco; and Commissioner Rebecca Wightman.
