Editorial: Apply by Sept. 17 to serve on Santa Clara County civil grand jury

As part of the judicial branch of government, jurors serve as civil investigators.

Editorial is the opinion of Gilroy Life

If you have a keen interest in being civically active and being part of making local government better, here’s a perfect opportunity for you. The Superior Court of California is seeking volunteers to serve on the 2022 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury.

We’d like to see residents of the South Valley community participating in this important but often little known component of the process of democracy. It provides oversight by scrutinizing the conduct of public business of county government. Its function is to investigate the operations of the various officers, departments and agencies of the government.

As part of the judicial branch of government, jurors serve as civil investigators. This gives ordinary citizens the opportunity to contribute to the efficiency of local government and to play an integral part in ensuring the integrity and efficiency of local government. Grand jurors have the independent authority to examine all aspects of county and city government, school districts, and special districts. The jury is also statutorily empowered to inspect adult and juvenile detention facilities.

Interested in participating in the civil grand jury? Residents who have lived in the county for at least one year, are United States citizens, and are at least 18 years of age may apply for this unique service. The court is seeking applicants of all backgrounds who are willing to make the commitment of a one-year term, beginning on January 3, 2022.

The deadline to submit an application for consideration for service is Friday, Sept. 17. Individuals interested in applying may contact Britney Huelbig, deputy manager of the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury, at (408) 882-2721 or [email protected], and may also visit the website at www.scscourt.org.