Has anybody ever been on a Grand Jury? If so, how was it?

[Shine]

The county of Santa Cruz selects its Grand Jury each year through a combination of random processes and personal interviews. They are looking for those who would be willing to devote a minimum of 15-20 hrs per week for an entire year! Wow, that's a pretty big commitment they're asking for a VOLUNTEER.

On the other hand, since I'm not working outside the home right now and my kids are getting a bit older, maybe this could be an interesting opportunity for me.

Any thoughts or experience to share? :shrug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Shine...

I haven't...

But, my dad has...

They don't want you to travel for that year...

He said it was very interesting work, and he found it helped keep his faculties sharp!

He was in his 80's at the time, IIRC...

I had a chance to do it, but the length of service combined with the fact that I could not travel, made me decide against it...

Maybe someday I'll do it, though!

:hi:

[Shine]

3. Yeah, it seems a bit restrictive to me, too.

The traveling thing would definitely be an issue with my family during the summer.

It's a HUGE commitment they're asking. It's amazing they get anyone at all!

Hmmm...Maybe I'll attend the orientation to learn more about what's involved.

I've been a Hospice volunteer visitor, off and on, for almost 7 years...so this would be a BIG change of pace.

[LeftyFingerPop]

2. I was on one for a week...

It is interesting, and low stress because there is really not much deliberation.

You listen to several different cases, and decide whether they should go to court.

I have been on both trial juries and a grand jury.

The grand jury proves to be more interesting because you hear several different cases.

However, like any jury, you do eventually get tired of it.

[Shine]

4. This one would be the Grand Jury for the entire county for an entire YEAR!

we'd be working with the Board of Supervisors, the City Council and various residents of the county, too, examining all aspects of city and county gov't.

Yup, it could get kinda boring after a while....certainly DRY.

[LeftyFingerPop]

5. Would the Grand Jury actually meet for 15 to 20 hours a week, or...

would you just have to be available for 15 to 20 hours a week if the case load dictated that the jury needed to convene?

If it is the former, then that is indeed a huge commitment.

But then again, you do get some satisfaction by knowing that you are doing your civic duty, so I guess I would weigh that against the huge commitment factor.

[Shine]

6. That's a really good question and I have no idea

on the official affidavit I rec'd today it says that those selected will be willing to devote a minimum of 15-20 hrs per week, but I have no idea what that actually means.

There's an Orientation I might go to in order to learn more about how it works and what's involved.

[Lil Missy]

7. I've been on a couple jury's, but not a Grand Jury.

I was able to go home every night.

If this requires travel, are they going to pay food and lodging while you are there? If not, I would never consider it.

[quakerboy]

8. They called me 4 years in a row

Always on midterms week. I ducked out. As soon as I gradumitated, not another notice. Weird. I thought I was for sure in for it the year after graduation.

[MonkeyFunk]

9. I was solicited for it a couple years ago

but there was no way I could put in that kind of time. But I bet it's interesting!

[Gormy Cuss]

10. No, but the way CA seats a grand jury is bizarre.

In other states where I've lived, the Grand Jury is impaneled just like any other jury but for a longer term (usually a month.) The solid year commitment here is what made me decide against it. I'd be able to commit for maybe six months without a break but no more.

[Shine]

11. Yeah, I was thinking the same thing

One year seems completely unrealistic. CAPeggy said her dad did it and he was told he basically couldn't travel anywhere for the entire year he was serving. It's a HUGE commitment of time and energy. It's amusing to read about their whole process of how the jury is selected, though. They send out 12,000 letters and eventually winnow out enough to make a jury. Frankly, I think it would be most difficult to get people willing to commit for that long, but who knows? Not a lot of us have that kind of "free time". :eyes:

:hi: I'm sure you must be enjoying this perfect gardening weather! :hug:

[Gormy Cuss]

12. Weeding weather!

But we do have early tomato plants in the ground.:hi: