Dick Spotswood: Marin Civil Grand Jury offers excellent opportunity for community involvement
There are multiple ways for conscientious citizens to serve their town, county and community. The ultimate is military service. For those so inclined, serving in city, county or special purpose district offices, whether elected or appointive, is not just a high level of community service but personally rewarding.
At a minimum, voting, paying taxes and serving on civil, as well as criminal, juries (while making a sincere effort to be informed on the current affairs of the town and county), is doing one’s patriotic duty.
There’s no question that running for local elected office requires an outgoing personality, a thick skin and sufficient time to satisfactorily perform what is a nominally paid position. The same goes for those who serve on appointed town or county commissions.
There is one opportunity that’s a limited time commitment and, for which, many Marin residents are qualified to serve. I’m referring to Marin County’s Civil Grand Jury. It’s only a one-year commitment. Most of those who’ve served regard their time on the grand jury as a personal milestone.
Applications are now open to join the 2025-26 Civil Grand Jury. It’s not a political appointment. The application requirements aren’t onerous. The applicant must be at least 18 years old, have been a Marin County resident for at least one year, can fluently read and write English, isn’t a current elected official and can’t have been convicted of a felony.
Once applications close on April 18, Superior Court judges review them. Once applications are approved, interviews are conducted by past grand jurors. Once accepted, there’s a random drawing of names by lot among the applicants. Nineteen grand jurors are selected, plus 11 alternates. The latter serve only when a sitting juror withdraws during their year.
The ideal potential grand juror has significant life experiences that bring a diversity of expertise. The current jury is seeking applicants with divergent cultural, ethnic and professional backgrounds. Younger applicants are encouraged.
In the past, a number of grand jurors have been among the recently retired. These women and men want to make a difference in their communities, have a lifetime of practical experience to offer and the time and energy to do the job.
The jury’s website explains that “the time commitment varies depending on the number of reports the jury decides to conduct. Jurors will generally spend 10 to 20 hours per week doing research, interviews, and writing. Some spend more than 20 hours per week, but it’s not required.”
Grand jurors will be empaneled on July 1 and will serve until June 30, 2026. They meet at their “chamber” in San Rafael’s Marin County Civic Center. Other than free coffee and parking, there’s no pay.
Grand jurors’ duty is to, “Investigate the performance of local government and make recommendations to potentially save taxpayer dollars and improve services.” Juries do their own research. They have subpoena power to compel reluctant witnesses to testify.
It’s called the “civil” grand jury since it doesn’t deal with criminal cases. The jury is Marin’s countywide independent ombudsman.
The first weeks of a juror’s service is devoted to a series of classes on how Marin’s governments are structured. I’m honored to give new grand jurors a tutorial on the organization of Marin’s local governments.
Then, jurors decide what activities they’ll investigate this year. They call witnesses, make onsite visits and examine records. By early spring, jurors begin writing reports on their findings. Check out the grand jury’s website to review past reports. They are top notch. If public agencies brush off the jurors’ findings, then it’s up to us in the Marin press to shine a spotlight on those agencies that aren’t transparent.
To apply to become a Marin grand juror, complete the online application at bit.ly/4as0lEl.
Columnist Dick Spotswood of Mill Valley writes on local issues Sundays and Wednesdays. Email him at spotswood@comcast.net.