The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury consists of 19 community volunteers who work together to help improve how local government serves the public. Jurors come from all backgrounds and bring their unique perspectives to this important civic role. Each juror serves a one-year term, with the option to continue for a second year.
Recruitment for the 2026–2027 Civil Grand Jury term runs from January 2026 through April 28, 2026.
The Civil Grand Jury operates independently within the judicial branch. Its mission is to help make local government more transparent, efficient, and responsive. Jurors:
Jurors work as a team to investigate issues, evaluate programs, and study how local government operates. All meetings and discussions are confidential, and the Jury acts only as a group. At the end of the term, the Jury releases a final report, and agencies must respond in writing.
The term runs July 1 – June 30. Jurors typically:
Serving on the Civil Grand Jury
Civil Grand Jury Operation
The Grand Jury, although a part of the judicial system, is an entirely independent body with three functions:
- To examine all aspects of city and county governments and special districts by initiating its own investigations;
- To serve as ombudsman for the citizens of the cities and county; and
- To publish its investigative findings and recommendations to improve governmental operations.
To accomplish this, it reviews and evaluates operations, procedures, methods, and systems used by governmental agencies to determine whether they comply with the stated objectives of the agency and if their operation can be made more efficient and effective.
The Grand Jury may inquire into any aspect of county or city government, including special legislative districts and joint power agencies, to serve the best interest of Santa Cruz County residents.
Grand Jury inquiries may become investigations resulting in reports that are released to the public. The Grand Jury reports, with their recommendations for improved transparency and efficiency, are not binding. Their power rests in their ability to move the public to insist that the agencies act on the issues revealed by the investigations.
The Grand Jury functions lawfully only as a group. No individual grand juror, acting alone, has any power or authority. Meetings of the Grand Jury are not open to the public. The law requires that all matters discussed before the Grand Jury and all votes taken are kept confidential.
Time Commitment and Reimbursement
- The Grand Jury typically convenes July 1 and operates through June 30 of the following year.
- Jurors are expected to spend an average of 15-20 hours per week on their duties.
- Each juror is paid per diem ($15 per day) for those days when the juror attends a meeting, with a maximum of $30 per week.
- Jurors are provided free parking at the County Government Center. Mileage is reimbursed for travel between jurors’ residences and the Grand Jury office in the County Government Center, and for travel on grand jury business.
Training and Support Services The Presiding Judge of the Grand Jury, the District Attorney, the County Counsel, and the State Attorney General all act as advisors, responding to requests throughout the year. They act only as advisors and cannot prevent Grand Jury action unless that action violates the law.
The California Grand Jurors’ Association (CGJA) provides two days of training at the beginning of each term and support throughout the year. It is composed of current and former grand jurors from throughout the state. It is dedicated to promoting the understanding of the unique practices of grand juries in California and to educating the public and prospective grand jurors about the beneficial oversight function of this system. This dedication is embodied in their mission statement: To promote, preserve, and support the grand jury system through training, education, and outreach.
The Santa Cruz County Chapter of the CGJA is a group of former civil grand jurors from Santa Cruz County interested in continuing their service to the community. They have helped with public relations, community outreach, and juror support.
Suggest an Investigation / Submit a Complaint
Please see existing Grand Jury reports to get an idea of the types of investigations we do. We may already have investigated your proposed topic!
Anyone may suggest topics for the Civil Grand Jury to investigate county or city departments or special districts. Suggestions should focus on operational effectiveness and efficiency of these entities. Each suggestion will be carefully considered. The number of investigations is limited. Since Grand Jury investigations are confidential, you will not be informed if the Grand Jury chooses your proposed investigative topic.
The Santa Cruz Civil Grand Jury has jurisdiction to investigate only local county and city governmental entities. We are not able to investigate civil lawsuits or criminal cases, state or federal government agencies, the courts, or matters outside Santa Cruz County.
Online suggestion forms are available in both English and Spanish. You may submit your request via email: grandjury@scgrandjury.org.
Alternatively, paper suggestion forms are available at room 318-I in the County Government Building. Return or mail completed forms to Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury, 701 Ocean Street, Room 318-I, Santa Cruz, CA 95060