Lake Elsinore, Wildomar Residents Invited to Apply to Serve on Grand Jury

Riverside County residents interested in serving on the county grand jury have until March 27 to submit an application.

The Superior Court is seeking qualified applicants to fill slots on the 19-member civil grand jury, which is in session year-round, investigating citizen complaints about government agencies and conducting inquiries of its own.

Current applications are for the grand jury that will serve from July 1 of this year to June 30, 2016.

Applicants must first pass a background check. Prospects will then be interviewed by members of a selection committee, which will be tasked with submitting 25-30 names for nomination by a judge.

According to court officials, every effort is made to seat jurors from all areas of the county to ensure fair representation.

To be considered, an applicant must be:

• an American citizen
• 18 years old or older
• a county resident for at least a year
• have “sound judgment and fair character”
• speak English
• be available for weekly hearings and meetings
• not currently serving as a trial juror
• not an elected official
• have no felony convictions

Panelists are not salaried but do receive a small per diem payment to cover expenses and are compensated for travel.

Applications can be completed online at http://riverside.courts.ca.gov/. Users need to select the “Divisions” tab on the court homepage and navigate to the application. They may also request a paper application by mail.

Court officials are available to answer questions at (951) 777-3162.

– City News Service.

(Image via Shutterstock)