Sonoma County highlights essential work of civil grand juries, urges residents to volunteer for service

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today honored the important work of civil grand juries, which investigate and report on local government to ensure it is operating efficiently, honestly and in the best interest of the public. 

The Board of Supervisors adopted a gold resolution proclaiming March as Civil Grand Jury Appreciation Month and endorsed the ongoing drive to recruit new civil grand jurors. 

“Civil grand juries make our community better by holding local government to high standards for efficiency, effectiveness and integrity,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “They also offer a unique opportunity for the public to learn how local government works and develop solutions to save money and improve services. We thank past, current and future members of the grand jury for their contributions and encourage the public to join this important work.”   

The Sonoma County Superior Court is in the process of recruiting candidates to serve on the 19-member panel for the 2025-26 term, which begins in July. Jurors must be willing to spend 10 to 25 hours a week on the work of the Civil Grand Jury. To apply, visit the Civil Grand Jury page on the Sonoma County Superior Court’s website. The application deadline is May 2.  

The Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury is made up of volunteers who dedicate a year of service to the watchdog body, which operates under the authority of the Sonoma County Superior Court. It is empowered to investigate the operations of the County, cities and special districts. Each jury has the authority to select whatever topics it feels are important to investigate. 

The results of most Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury investigations are contained in reports that lay out the findings of specific problems or issues and make recommendations for solutions. By law, the governing body of any agency that is the subject of a grand jury report must comment on the findings and recommendations of the report. The comments must specify what action, if any, has been or will be taken in response to the grand jury’s recommendations or explain why no action has been taken.

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors presents a gold resolution to members of the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury on March 11, 2025. 

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Media Contact: 
Ted Appel, Communications Specialist 
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org 
(707) 565-3040 
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A 
Santa Rosa, CA 95403