Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Course
CALIFORNIA CIVIL GRAND JURY SYSTEM
Course Prepared for an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offering
Course Description:
California is one of the few states that have empowered county civil grand juries with a civil watchdog function: responding to citizen complaints and initiating their own investigations of county and other local government agencies. The desired outcome of these investigations is the improvement of government effectiveness and efficiency.
Course Goals:
This course outline has been prepared by the Civil Grand Juror’s Association of California whose goal is to bring broader recognition of the California Civil Grand Jury system to the citizens of this state. The purpose of this course is to learn about the constitution and function of the civil grand jury, how it has helped to improve government, how it actually operates, and how course registrants and other citizens can apply to serve on the civil grand jury of any of the 58 counties in California.
Courses have been given at a number of Osher Chapter sites.
Course Information:
Three, two-hour class meetings
As an OLLI course, no textbook is required
OLLI offerings do not offer college credit, nor are grades issued
Enrollees are required to be 50 years of age or older
When putting a course together, it is strongly suggested that there be a course moderator whose responsibility it will be to introduce the various speakers who will address the class. Also, the moderator should be responsible to see that adequate numbers of whatever handouts are used will be available to the enrollees. The moderator will also be expected to coordinate the various speakers and make certain the guest speakers receive written information on what material is to be covered and know what their time schedule will be.
It is desirable to consider asking for a speaker from the local judiciary system, preferably a presiding judge or, at least, a judge who has recent experience with a grand jury in his/her county. Another speaker who would be important to the success of this course would be the administrative person in charge of the civil grand jury in his/her county. This person would be able to explain the nuts and bolts of the civil grand jury workings in a given county. The remaining speakers should be former civil grand jurors who are able to explain actual jury work to the enrollees. The CGJA will be pleased to work with you in forming your course or will be able to supply the necessary civil grand jury lecturers.
Session I (2 hours):
Introduction by Moderator and explanation of role of CGJA in providing this course
What is the Civil Grand Jury? How is it constituted? What is it charged to do? Why does it exist?
History:
a) Anglo-Saxon origins
b) in the United States
c) in California
d) in your county
The Civil Grand Jury and the Law
Use of the Penal Code and other statutes
Accusation
Interaction with Presiding Judge and County Counsel
Subpoena power, oath of confidentiality, admonishment
Speaker from local judiciary system
Session II (2 hours):
How does the Civil Grand Jury do its work? What are the benefits to the County, to the local citizenry and the County government?
Operational concepts: autonomy, confidentiality, the rule of 2, the rule of 12, continuity. This session can be characterized as a typical day in the life of a county civil grand jury.
Case Histories – examples of actual Civil Grand Jury reports that made a difference in the particular county where the course is being offered.
The Civil Grand Jurors Association of California: What is it? What does it do?
Session III (2 hours):
Why become a civil grand juror? How and when to apply? What is the selection process?
What are the benefits to the juror of service on the civil grand jury?
The Impact of the Final Report and the Role of the Media
The Local County Grand Jurors’ Association (when applicable): What is it, what does it do?
End of Course: The Moderator will give evaluation sheets to each enrollee and ask for them to be returned before they leave.
Suggested handouts:
The CGJA brochure
A recent copy of the CGJA Journal
Information that County has for potential jurors, e.g., application form, a recent completed report, a brochure.
Complaint form.
Business card of the administrative person from that county
For more information please contact:
Lanny Larson
lannylarson@att.net