What We Do
We provide the general public with information and educational materials and activities on the California Civil Grand Jury system that will help increase public awareness of the valuable role the civil grand jury plays in our democratic system of government.
We provide comprehensive training on all subjects relative to empaneled civil grand juries available to all 58 counties within California including civil grand jury training as well as specific workshops on key topics relevant to civil grand jury service.
What Are You
Looking For?
Find valuable information on these subjects
Civil Grand Jury Resources
Here you can find sample documents, templates, examples of well-written reports, links to local government resources,
and FAQs.
Our Annual Conference
Every year in the fall, CGJA holds an Annual Conference and Membership Meeting to provide an opportunity for members and civil grand jurors to meet and discuss experiences and hear from speakers and panels on relevant topics of interest.
Chapter Resources
Includes chapter resource documents, suggested activities for chapters, guidance for forming a chapter along with templates.
Get Involved
Join CGJA as an active member, volunteer for CGJA, become a civil grand juror, join a chapter, or support us through a tax deductible donation.
Grand Jurors' Journal
This bimonthly journal is a major source of information about the civil grand jury system and recent updates on CGJA activities of interest to our members.
CGJA and California's Civil Grand Jury System
Learn about CGJA and details about California’s unique system of civil grand juries.
Our Awards
Annual awards recognizing civil grand jury reporting and media coverage along with the Angelo Rolando Service Award.
We can help you become
an effective civil grand juror
CGJA conducts training seminars for civil grand jurors and alternates on their various civil functions. These seminars include twelve full hours of presentations and over 300 pages of training materials. Experienced and highly qualified trainers who have served as civil grand jurors or grand jury legal advisors present these programs locally, throughout the state as “onsite” seminars or via Zoom if Covid-19 restrictions exist.
We also conduct Foreperson and Pro Tem Workshops, Legal Advisors’ Workshops, and Report Writing Workshops.
Stay Updated with Civil Grand Jury News
CGJA Journal
This bimonthly journal is a major source of information about the civil grand jury system and recent updates on CGJA activities of interest to our members.
The Gift of Your Time
is Priceless
CGJA is an all-volunteer membership organization. We succeed mainly because our members volunteer to serve on our committees and/or train civil grand jurors. Serving on committees almost never requires travel as we communicate via email and computer video. Our trainers do travel to venues throughout the state and we reimburse them for lodging, mileage, and a modest per diem for other expenses.
Making Local Government More Efficient and Effective
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Kern County Civil Grand Jury Report Raises Concerns about Traffic-Safety in Bakersfield Neighborhoods
Kern grand jury report raises concerns about traffic safety in Bakersfield neighborhoods
bakersfieldnow.com
A new Kern County Grand Jury report is raising concerns about traffic safety in Bakersfield neighborhoods, saying the city too often responds to speeding0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Is the level of civil grand jury applicants increasing, about the same, or decreasing this year? I’m trying to evaluate the recruitment efforts being made around the state. If your county is seeing a significant increase, let us know if you did anything different. Thank you. Lou Panetta.
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Grand Jury Tackles County Radio Communications
www.montereyherald.com/2026/05/04/grand-jury-report-calls-for-more-resources-for-first-responder-...
By Kyarra Harris
kharris@montereyherald.com
A new civil grand jury report details gaps in emergency radio coverage across Monterey County, raising concerns about communication failures during fires and other emergencies.
The report, released Friday, examined radio communication systems used by fire agencies serving unincorporated areas and found that challenging terrain, limited funding and delayed adoption of newer technology have contributed to inconsistent coverage.
According to the findings, large portions of the county experience unreliable radio signals. Radio signals also may not be available in their area. Digital radio coverage, which is widely used for clearer communication, does not reach about 42 percent of the county’s geographic area. Analog radio, which has broader reach but lower quality, still leaves about 18 percent of the county without coverage.
The report states that these gaps create a risk for both residents and emergency responders, particularly during life-threatening situations where communication is critical.
Investigators identified several areas with limited or no coverage, including parts of North Salinas, Prunedale, Carmel Valley Village, Big Sur and south Monterey County. Coverage issues also extend indoors, where buildings can block radio signals.
Monterey County’s geography was cited as a major factor. The region spans more than two million acres, with elevations ranging from sea level to over 5,800 feet, creating natural barriers that interfere with radio transmission.
The report also points to the complexity of the county’s fire protection system. Multiple independent fire districts operate across unincorporated areas, each with its own funding and equipment. This has led to uneven adoption of communication technology and coordination challenges between agencies.
Firefighters often rely on a mix of analog and digital radios and must manually adjust frequencies depending on their location. The report found that while experienced personnel are able to navigate these systems, newer responders or those working outside their usual areas may face delays or communication breakdowns.
Efforts are underway to improve the system through the county’s Next Generation Radio Network project, which is testing newer technologies such as LTE, Wi-Fi and low-orbit satellite communication. Early testing suggests these options could reduce coverage gaps, but they have not yet been fully implemented.
Cost remains a major barrier. Building additional radio towers can improve coverage, but each tower can exceed $1 million due to difficult terrain and limited access. Newer radios that support multiple communication modes can cost about $12,000 per unit, placing additional strain on fire districts that must purchase their own equipment.
Funding for fire districts largely comes from property taxes, which have been limited since the passage of Proposition 13. The report found that this funding model does not provide enough revenue to support necessary upgrades to communication systems.
The civil grand jury issued several recommendations, including directing the Monterey County Board of Supervisors to develop a plan to address radio coverage gaps, identify funding sources and support fire districts in upgrading equipment.
County officials are required to respond to the findings and recommendations within 90 days.
Grand jury report calls for more resources for first responder radio communication
www.montereyherald.com
The civil grand jury issued several recommendations0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Updated Nevada County Civil Grand Jury news stemming from a 2022 Grand Jury Report.
NEVADA CITY, Calif. – Nevada County District Attorney Jesse Wilson filed felony charges against Jamie Jones, executive director of the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County, and Chris Wackerly, Jones’ former partner and former director of operations for the organization.
The indictments allege 29 counts of fraud, grand theft, money laundering, embezzlement, perjury and forgery against each defendant. The indictments list embezzlement allegations dating from 2018 to early 2025.
Wackerly was arrested on Friday, May 1st, and booked in the Nevada County Jail. Jones has not been apprehended at publication time.
Background
Concerns about the Fire Safe Council surfaced publicly as early as July 2021, when local media stories documented complaints from former employees.
A June 2022 Civil Grand Jury report identified deficiencies in the organization’s internal processes, drawing on public records, staff testimony and a whistleblower account. The FSCNC’s board response was deemed inadequate, prompting the 2023-24 grand jury to reinvestigate.
The Board of the non-profit came out strongly against any allegations and in their response to a finding wrote, in part, “that the grand jury’s statements were “an opinion, not a finding” and calling the accusations “outrageously inappropriate, inaccurate and unfounded.”
Fire Safe Council executive director, former partner indicted on 29 felony counts
yubanet.com
District Attorney Jesse Wilson charges Fire Safe Council executive director, former partner face 29 felony counts1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Report News in Palo Alto
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, which runs the county’s light rail and public buses, came under fire in a new Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury report that called it one of the most inefficient transit agencies in the country.
VTA touts spending plan for possible Bay Area sales tax increase
www.paloaltoonline.com
South Bay transportation leaders aren’t waiting for the November election to draft a wishlist of projects to make car-less commuting more bearable. But it depends entirely on voters passing a region...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
FIGHTING FIRES, CHANGING LIVES EEL RIVER CONSERVATION CAMP CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT
Friday, 1 May 2026, 12:01 am
Inmate firefighters clearing a firebreak
[Image from the Humboldt County 2026 Grand Jury Report]
Press release from Humboldt County’s Grand Jury:
“Without a doubt, if there is a program within the state that can help somebody go from an incarcerated life to never coming back to an incarcerated life, this is the program that can do it.” Fred Money, California Department of Corrections and quoted in the Sacramento Bee Article on the Importance of Fire Crews 053124
The Civil Grand Jury Report, “Fighting Fires, Changing Lives – Eel River Conservation Camp” was published today on the Humboldt County website Civil Grand Jury | Humboldt County, CA – Official Website
The Grand Jury is required by state law to “inquire into the condition and management of the public prisons within the county.” Beyond the need to know whether these institutions are well run and pose no threat to our community, isn’t it important to know how your tax dollars are being spent and whether this investment of your money is benefiting you?
Among the Grand Jury’s findings:
The Eel River Conservation Camp meets or exceeds goals for contributions to the community, leading to a healthy, trusting relationship between the camp and the community.
Basic job skills are learned and practiced, making Eel River Conservation Camp inmates more employable and thus benefitting themselves, their families and their communities.
Through training, education, and on-the-job work experience, inmate employment opportunities post-incarceration increase, helping the Eel River Conservation Camp recidivism rate decline.
The Grand Jury Responsibilities
The Humboldt County Superior Court annually appoints 19 county residents as grand jurors to serve as citizen watchdogs over local government.
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury has jurisdiction over Humboldt County districts, cities, agencies, and departments and examines all aspects of county and city government to ensure honest, efficient government in the best interests of the people.
The Jury receives and investigates complaints from individuals concerning the actions and performances of county or public officials.
Additional information about the Civil Grand Jury, complaint forms, and juror applications can be found at Civil Grand Jury | Humboldt County, CA – Official Website
Media contact: Grand Jury Foreperson, Kathleen Sartorius at administrator@humboldtcountygrandjury.org
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