What is the Civil Grand Jury

The Civil Grand Jury is Sonoma County’s only independent citizen oversight body for local government agencies and services. The jury consists of 19 jurors who investigate and monitor the performance of local government agencies. All jurors are treated equally. They have the same opportunity to voice their thoughts and opinions and the same voting authority.

As an arm of the Sonoma County Superior Court, the Civil Grand Jury has the authority to investigate the operations of city and county government agencies and special districts, including:

• Schools
• Fire protection
• Police departments
• Jails
• Water districts
• Public transportation
• Healthcare

Once the jury completes its investigations, it makes recommendations to improve local government by issuing several investigative reports each year. The jury is empowered by the judicial system and is independent of administrators, politicians, and legislators.

Please Note: This is not a criminal grand jury. A Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) is different from a Criminal Grand Jury. A Criminal Grand Jury reviews indictments brought by the County District Attorney to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to hold a trial.

Civil Grand Jurors attend weekly meetings (plenaries) and meet with interviewees and committee members during investigations. Since Civil Grand Jurors (Jurors) are sworn to secrecy, there are no published meeting minutes or agendas.

• The Superior Court selects the foreperson of the CGJ.
• Jurors are chosen through a formal selection process that includes an application, a background check, and an interview. To ensure an unbiased process, jurors are selected through a random drawing of names.
• Jurors are compensated for each plenary and committee meeting they attend.
• Jurors are reimbursed for mileage.