The new fiscal year 2010-11 Santa Barbara County Civil Grand Jury will be sworn into office at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 1 in Department 1 on the second floor of the Superior Court in Santa Barbara.
The Superior Court’s presiding judge, the Honorable Arthur Garcia, will oversee the ceremonies, which will include the discharge of the outgoing 2009-10 Grand Jury that released several reports during its term in office. The public is invited to attend.
The Civil Grand Jury is a unique institution whose primary purpose is to act as a “watchdog” of local government and make recommendations for improvements.
The 19-member Civil Grand Jury is made up of citizen volunteers who will serve for a one-year period.
Eight jurors from the fiscal year 2009-10 Grand Jury will be “held over” for a second year of service under a special provision of law in order to provide continuity and “institutional memory” for the new Grand Jury members.
— Angela Braun is the judicial services manager for Santa Barbara County Superior Court.