Duty Calls

Grand jury needs citizens who serve as watchdogs

By Steven M. Gevercer
December 2023

Where does a citizen go with information that questions the integrity or work of a local public agency? The answer is the county grand jury.

Oversight of local government is never an option in a successful democracy. It’s a necessity. The community depends on oversight.

In Sacramento County, this essential work falls to the grand jury, 19 people from diverse backgrounds who serve one-year terms as jurors.

The recruiting period for new grand jurors is now open, with applications accepted Nov. 20 to Dec. 29.

Grand jury newcomers join a group of county residents who review citizen complaints about local government, engage in independent inquiries and participate in criminal grand jury indictments.

As a member of California’s legal system for four decades, I’m honored to serve as judicial adviser to the grand jury. While I understand the legacy of grand juries can be traced back almost 1,000 years to England, I know the primary function hasn’t changed. The grand jury is the public’s watchdog over local government.

The grand jury’s most recent annual report, released in June, described critical work, including a scathing investigation of how the county and sheriff’s department mismanaged the operation and maintenance of the jails, and violated constitutional rights and federal protections for people with disabilities.

Grand jurors also revealed failures by the county and seven local incorporated cities to manage the homeless problem. Failures included a lack of cooperation, coordination and collaboration to create a comprehensive plan to attack the situation.

Additionally, the grand jury found an absence of measurable processes and outcome metrics with programs that serve unhoused people.

There are two ways citizens make the grand jury function. One is by serving as a juror. The second is by anonymously reporting wrongdoing or waste of public funds by local agencies.

As Steve Caruso, grand jury foreperson, says, “The grand jury relies on county residents to help us investigate and improve all aspects of local government.”

To apply to be a grand juror or learn how to make a confidential report, visit sacgrandjury.org.

Steven M. Gevercer is a Sacramento County Superior Court judge and judicial adviser to the grand jury. He can be reached at (916) 874-7559.