BEST CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT – awarded to a specific grand jury for an outstanding report.

Requirements and limitations

Nominations may be made only by a CGJA Chapter or Association for its county. Where there is no Chapter or Association, nominations may be made by a CGJA member who resides in the county.

A county may nominate only one civil grand jury report and one news media coverage topic per year. A single civil grand jury report may be the subject of both awards.

The nominated report must have been published within the preceding five years — thereby allowing sufficient time for responses and implementation.

Awards are announced at the CGJA Annual Conference in the fall.

Award criteria

Significance of the issue, topic rationale.
Clear description of the investigation.
Findings follow from facts, recommendations based on the findings.
Clarity of the language, objectivity, and fairness.
Identified problems accompanied by suggested means for resolution.
Impact on the citizenry.
Difficulty of the investigation.
Media coverage.
Agency acknowledgement.
Changes resulting from the report.

2024 Best Grand Jury Report – 2018-2019 Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury, Contra Costa County Psychiatric Emergency Services – Improving Care for Children and Adolescents 

See listing of past recipients

Download the Best Grand Jury Report evaluation form (PDF)

NOTE: Please download and read Printer-friendly instructions for report instructions] before submitting the NOMINATION (they tell you exactly what is needed).