Ventura County grand jury seeks participation from community

Some residents in Ventura County want to do more to fulfill their civic obligation than just pay taxes. In an effort to identify the more altruistic among us, the Ventura County grand jury recently hosted a public open house to recruit new members.

Grand juries were incorporated into the United States judicial system in 1791 under the Fifth Amendment. California included its own regulations regarding grand juries in the state constitution of 1879.

California grand juries serve as government watchdogs. The main purpose of the Ventura County grand jury is "to act as a civil oversight of county and city government, special districts, governing boards, personnel commissions, school districts and humane officers," according to the county website.

The grand jury often conducts investigations to ensure that public funds are being appropriately spent, that detention centers remain in adequate condition, and to discover if there's been misconduct by public officials.

When an indictment is needed, the county's district attorney will organize a criminal grand jury from a prospective jury pool that serves for a limited time.

Members of the civil grand jury may serve up to two years before they are required to take a break. Members are required to meet every Tuesday morning to review various agency briefings regarding budget problems, funding issues and operations.

In addition to the weekly meetings, grand jurors are also required to serve on an external and an internal committee. External committees review city and joint power agencies and study issues regarging health, education, welfare, justice, public safety, and finance and administration. Internal committees handle grand jury reviews and complaints.

When the grand jury finds an organization at fault, an investigative report will be written and sent to the Ventura County Counsel for protection against liability issues.

Once the report is approved by the Superior Court, the agency under investigation is given notice and a maximum of 90 days to respond to the charges.

Investigation materials remain confidential until they are released by a Superior Court judge.

In recent years, the grand jury has issued reports that have lead to a number of changes, such as the implementation of handicap accessible voting booths.

Grand jurors often are required to meet from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. for four to five days a week.

Jurors receive $20 per day compensation plus mileage and designated parking.

People who apply to become a member of the grand jury will be required to undergo a background investigation. If they pass the initial screening, they will be selected at random from a pool of potential jurors by the judge's clerk.

Those interested in learning more about the Ventura County grand jury should visit www. grandjury.countyofventura.gov.