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The California Grand Jurors Association (CGJA) training program is designed for both new and returning grand jurors, as well as alternates. The main objective is to provide new grand jurors with the necessary additional knowledge and skills so that they can perform their basic civil oversight functions as grand jurors in their county.
The general sessions and core subjects are:
Grand Jury Essentials
Grand Jury Essentials provides an overview for new and returning jurors. This presentation orients jurors to the grand jury’s mission and the historical context of the grand jury system in California. It presents an overview of the grand jury year with an emphasis on what takes place during each phase of the jury’s term, including organizing the jury, topic selection, investigations, and report writing. The concept of the grand jury as a collegial, non-hierarchical body, sharing authority and operating as a unit, is emphasized.
Local Government – Structure, Transparency and Ethics
This presentation covers the various divisions of local governments, including those of counties, cities, special districts, school districts, and other specialized local government agencies and authorities. The class also covers governance, such as information about boards of supervisors, city councils, commissioners, governing boards, and government officials (both appointed and elected), and gives jurors basic knowledge about the ethics and transparency laws so they are able to identify possible violations by public boards or officials. These laws include the Ralph M. Brown Act, the Public Records Act, and the Political Reform Act.
Grand Juries and the Law
The law section will sensitize the new grand jurors to the importance of the law in grand jury work, especially the key test: is something required or prohibited by law? The class covers the definition and finding of sources such as statutes, judicial opinions, Attorney General opinions and city and county ordinances, codes, etc.
Also included is a section explaining the “Common Authorizing Grand Jury Statutes and Where they are Found.” The seminar discusses the primary authorizing statutes for the civil oversight function, including the Accusation, discusses the breadth and depth of the laws governing agencies and officials and provides examples of responsible uses of the grand jury’s broad watchdog powers.Grand Jury Investigations
This workshop defines investigation, discusses truth, and lays a basic groundwork for conducting grand jury investigations. Rules, Restrictions and Caveats help clarify the laws and rules under which a jury operates.
Other topics covered include deciding what to investigate, planning and organizing the investigation, and conducting the investigation, stressingverification through “triangulation” of information. The workshop covers how the final report must flow directly from the investigation, points out that recommendations must be doable, and shows how the report can contain both positive and negative elements.
Grand Jury Interviews
This presentation covers how to plan the interview, develop questions, conduct the interview and afterwards, how to analyze and verify the information. Also covered is the importance of confidentiality and of determining the objectives of the interview. The section on Juror Conduct During an Interview deals with proper professional dress and demeanor, maintaining objectivity and not jumping to conclusions.
Writing Final Reports
This session provides general information to help grand jurors write reports. It provides ground rules for grand jurors and discussions on mandatory, discretionary, prohibited and unauthorized reports. The organization and content of final reports is covered, and suggestions are offered on how a typical report may be structured. Timelines are discussed to help jurors plan their tasks throughout the grand jury year.
In addition to the core workshops the seminar will include panel discussions and a variety of workshops, some taught by outside speakers, including some or all of the following:
Conducting Jail Inspections
Video of a Mock Grand Jury Interview
Special Districts
LAFCo
Continuity
The Role of Legal Advisors to the Grand Jury
Group Dynamics
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