Civil Grand Jury

In the course of its investigations, the Civil Grand Jury may hire independent auditors and subpoena witnesses and documents. The Jury may ask the advice of Legal Counsel on civil matters, confer with the District Attorney on criminal matters, and discuss problems with the Presiding Judge.

To learn more about the Solano County Civil Grand Jury click on the following parts to view videos:

Part 1 :
Serving on the Civil Grand Jury is a civic duty Solano citizens take seriously and proudly. In Part 1 of this series, learn what Civil Grand Jury is and hear first hand from a few grand jurists.

Part 2:
City of Fairfield Mayor Harry Price explains the privileges of serving on the Grand Jury. Also, a former grand juror explains the role of the Civil Grand Jury Foreperson.

Part 3:
Superior Court of Solano County, Executive Officer Brian Taylor, explains the application process, time commitment and how to apply for service. Retired Solano County Sheriff Gary Stanton talks about the importance of the Civil Grand Jury.

Part 4:
Superior Court of Solano County, Presiding Judge Paul Beeman (retired), explains the purpose of the Civil Grand Jury. A former grand juror speaks of the California Grand Jury Association (CGJA)

The Civil Grand Jury may examine all aspects of county and city government and special districts to ensure that the best interest of the citizens are being served. The Civil Grand Jury reviews and evaluates procedures, methods, and systems used by government for efficiency and economy.

The Civil Grand Jury is divided into committees which concentrate on certain departments or functions of local government. Committees may include:

• Audit, Finance and County Administration
• Criminal Justice
• Environmental and Land Planning
• Library and Education
• Health and Social Services
• Special Districts and Legislative Review
• Transportation and Public Buildings
• Ad Hoc (various)

The Grand Jury is authorized to:

• Inspect and audit books and records to ensure legal expenditures and accounting of public funds.
• Inquire into the conditions of prisons, jails, and detention centers in Solano County
• Inquire into charges of willful misconduct in office by public officials or employees
• Subpoena witnesses and documents in the course of an investigation.
  

California Rule of Court 10.625 encourages courts to employ various methods of soliciting prospective candidates that reflect a representative cross-section of the community.
This chart of demographics for all applicants for the civil grand jury – as well as those randomly selected to serve from the pool of volunteers – assists the court in monitoring the extent to which we achieve our goal of seating representative grand juries.
Click below to see the demographics associated with civil grand juries.

2021/2022 Civil Grand Jury Demographics
2020/2021 Civil Grand Jury Demographics
2019/2020 Civil Grand Jury Demographics
2018/2019 Civil Grand Jury Demographics
2017/2018 Civil Grand Jury Demographics
2016/2017 Civil Grand Jury Demographics
2015/2016 Civil Grand Jury Demographics

Civil Grand Jury investigations are contained in early release reports and in the annual Final Report. The Report contains all findings and recommendations made as a result of the investigation and is distributed to public officials, libraries, and the general public through the news media.

Reports of Civil Grand Jury investigations contain all findings and recommendations made as a result of the investigation.

Each year the reports are compiled into the annual Final Report which is distributed to public officials, libraries, and the general public through the news media.

Public Agencies that are named in the Civil Grand Jury report are required to respond in writing.

As part of its civil function, the Civil Grand Jury receives written complaints from citizens alleging inefficiencies and misconduct in government.

Complaints received from citizens are reviewed for their validity. Such complaints are kept confidential and members of the Civil Grand Jury frequently rely on information from concerned citizens who are aware of problems.

If the situation warrants and the matter is under the jurisdiction of the Civil Grand Jury, the Civil Grand Jury may open an investigation and may issue a report recommending action.

The official complaint form is available from the Civil Grand Jury office or you may download it by clicking on the link below. To obtain a form in the mail, telephone the office at (707) 435-2575 and ask that one be sent to you.
Fill out the form completely, sign, and mail or deliver it to:

Civil Grand Jury Office
Superior Court of California
County of Solano
600 Union Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 435-2575

Click here for the Complaint Form.

Each year the Solano County Superior Court Judges identify qualified citizens who might serve on the Civil Grand Jury. Nominations for prospective jurors are made by the judges themselves and other public elected officials.

Solano County residents are urged to volunteer for service on the Civil Grand Jury. Those recommended are interviewed by a Superior Court Judge, Court Executive Officer and the Civil Grand Jury Foreperson. Based on the results of interviews, a pool of qualified jury candidates is created and these citizens are invited to appear in the Superior Court of the Presiding Judge. Names are then drawn randomly by the Clerk of the Court.

The new Civil Grand Jury will consist of second-term jurors, plus new members, to make a total of nineteen jurors. All nineteen are sworn and given a description of their duties and responsibilities by the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. These citizens begin their one year term on July 1st.

Prospective Civil Grand Jurors must possess the following qualifications (California Penal Code §893):

1. Be a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older who has resided in the county for one year immediately before being sworn.
2. Be in possession of natural faculties, of ordinary intelligence and sound judgment, and fair character.
3. Possess sufficient knowledge of the English language.

Any prospective jurors are also required to have reliable transportation.

Desirable qualifications for a Grand Juror include:

• Have sufficient time and commitment.
• Be in good health.
• Be open-minded with concern for views of others.
• Have the ability to work with others.
• Have a genuine interest in community affairs.
• Have investigative skill and an ability to write reports.

A person is not able to be a Civil Grand Juror if any of the following apply:

• The person is serving as a trial juror in any court of this state.
• The person has been discharged as a Civil Grand Juror in any court of this state within one year.
• The person has been convicted of malfeasance in office or any felony or other high crime.
• The person is serving as an elected public official

Information regarding the Civil Grand Jury may be obtained from:

Civil Grand Jury Office
Superior Court of California
County of Solano
600 Union Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 435-2575