Sacramento, Calif. — In Sacramento County, a grand jury composed of local volunteers plays a crucial role in holding public agencies and officials accountable. Each year, 19 residents of this Northern California county serve on this independent panel, investigating local government operations and suggesting improvements to enhance fairness and efficiency.
The volunteers, chosen through a rigorous selection process that includes a Department of Justice background check and interviews, commit 20 to 30 hours weekly. According to Sacramento Superior Court Judge Steven Gevercer, who advises the jury, their findings often act as a springboard for change, illuminating inefficiencies, waste, abuse, or misconduct within public institutions.
The grand jury’s scope includes investigations into city and county governments, school districts, and over 100 special districts, ranging from fire services to water management. These probes can stem from public complaints or issues jurors identify through their professional and personal experiences.
Beth TenPas, the grand jury’s foreperson for the 2024-25 term, explained that jurors are selected via a drawing each June, with a judge appointing the foreperson, who then selects various officers and committee chairs. “We encourage jurors to bring up areas they are passionate about investigating, which helps ensure our work remains relevant to the community’s needs,” TenPas said.
This proactive approach allows the grand jury to tackle diverse topics, from homeless services coordination to special education programs. Once investigations are underway, jurors conduct interviews with key figures without revealing the investigation’s focus to maintain objectivity and candidness.
The grand jury’s findings are published in reports released at the end of its annual term in June, though reports can be published earlier if completed. At least 12 of the 19 jurors must approve each report, which is also reviewed for accuracy and objectivity by the county counsel and advising judge.
Following the release of these reports, local agencies and officials must respond in writing within 60 to 90 days, addressing the jury’s recommendations. Although these recommendations are not binding, they provide the public with transparency and insight into governmental workings, which can prompt further actions or reforms.
Responses to these reports, alongside the original findings, are made available on the grand jury’s website, offering an ongoing resource for residents and officials alike. In cases where responses are deemed inadequate or untruthful, subsequent grand juries may reinit in additional investigations, ensuring a continuous check on local governance.
As part of its community engagement efforts, the grand jury also focuses on attracting a diverse pool of jurors and educating the public about their work. Gevercer emphasized the importance of detailed complaints from the public, which often guide the jury’s investigative direction. “Precise information and a list of potential witnesses can significantly aid our investigations,” he noted.
Through its diligent work and community-based approach, the Sacramento County Grand Jury exemplifies a powerful mechanism for civic oversight, one that underscores the value and impact of engaged and informed citizenship. As such, the grand jury not only fosters greater accountability within public agencies but also empowers residents by giving them a direct role in the oversight process.