County seeks new grand jurors

Panel serves as watchdog over how taxpayer dollars are spent

John Todd likes being on the Riverside County grand jury so much that he's on his second term and serving his fourth year.

"It's been a great experience," said Todd, 77, the foreman of the current grand jury. "You learn an awful lot of things, including some things you might not want to learn."

The Superior Court is now seeking Riverside County residents who wish to serve on the 2008-09 civil grand jury, which begins its new, one-year session July 1.

"We are a watchdog organization over county government and county agencies," Todd said. "We see how well taxpayer money is being spent.

"While investigating specific complaints that come from the public, "we can also pick anything where county dollars are being spent," regardless of whether a complaint has been filed, Todd said.

The grand jury also has committees such as a justice committee that can look into law enforcement agencies, the county counsel or district attorney's office. Other committees can address issues including city government, the county office of education or libraries, Todd said.

Serving on the grand jury "lets people give something back to the community," he said. "We try to cover every area of the county that we can.

"In the past, the grand jury has investigated issues within county animal control, the Riverside County sheriff's corrections division and treatment services at Riverside County Regional Medical Center.

The 19 grand jurors meet three to five days per week from about 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., court officials said.

While the grand jury term is for one year, the presiding judge typically holds over several willing jurors so there is some continuity from one session to the next, Todd said.

However, Todd said that, as he has done, jurors can only serve two years in a row before having to take a year off and reapply.

Generally, because of the days and time needed to meet, grand jurors are retired, Todd said, adding that members of the current panel have an average age in the 60s.

Those wishing to serve on the future panel must start by filling out an application form, which must be received by the grand jury secretary by April 16. Applications are available online at www.riverside.courts.ca.gov or by sending a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope to Grand Jury Secretary, P.O. Box 829, Riverside, CA 92502.

A per diem rate of $15 to $25 per day, plus mileage, is paid to jurors to help defray expenses.

For more information about the grand jury or to obtain citizen complaint forms, go to www.riverside.courts.ca.gov

Contact staff writer John Hall at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2628, or jhall@californian.com.

Grand jurors sought

Riverside County is seeking grand jurors for its 2008-09 session.

Applicants must be:
a U.S. citizen
18 years or older
Riverside County residents for at least one year
in good health
able to speak and understand English
able to attend hearings three to five days per week for a year

Applicants cannot be:
serving as a trial juror anywhere in the state
an elected public official
convicted of malfeasance, any felony or high crime

To apply:
return juror application to Grand Jury Secretary, P.O. Box 829, Riverside, CA 92502, by April 16
applications can be obtained at www.riverside.courts.ca.gov or by sending a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope to the grand jury secretary

For information, go to www.riverside.courts.ca.gov