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):
Desirable qualifications for a Grand Juror include:
Persons selected for the Civil Grand Jury must make a commitment to a minimum of six (6) days per month for their one year term. During major investigations, Civil Grand Jury members may need to serve three (3) or more days per week.
Civil Grand Jurors receive a nominal payment for meetings, and are reimbursed for mileage and Civil Grand Jury related expenses.
An orientation program about the role of the Civil Grand Jury and about local government will be provided by the Grand Jury Foreperson. Each year Civil Grand Jury members are invited to attend statewide training seminars provided by experts on civil grand juries.