County Seeks Applicants for Grand Jury

Orange County Superior Court has yet to receive any applications for grand jury service for the 1997-98 session and hopes to soon attract citizens interested in spending a year handing down criminal indictments, investigating crimes and monitoring public agencies, officials said.

The dearth is not unusual for this time of year, and courthouse officials expect to receive by the Jan. 31 deadline an adequate number from which to select the 19-member jury, said Pat Hill, assistant executive officer of the court.

“It’s very early, and the majority of our interest comes near the end of the application period,” she said.

About 200 people applied last year.

Applicants must be at least 18, have lived in the county for a year and submit to a background check and an interview with a judge. U.S. citizenship is required.

The goal is to hire jurors from all parts of the county, Hill said. “We’re trying to get a good cross-section.”

Other requirements bar grand jurors from political activities during their yearlong terms. Members may not become active in political campaigns or run for office.

Grand jurors receive $25 per day when they are in session, mileage compensation and free parking at the courthouse.

The work requires weekday availability, and advance permission from employers is strongly recommended.

The jury term is from July 1, 1997, to June 30, 1998, unless the term is extended.

Members of the two most recent grand juries served 18-month terms.

Applications may be picked up at the Orange County Courthouse, 700 Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For an application by mail, write Grand Jury Application, c/o Alan Slater, Jury Commissioner, Orange County Courthouse, P.O. Box 1994, Room A100, Santa Ana, CA 92702-1994.

The Internet address for applications is www.oc.ca.gov/superior.

Information: (714) 834-6747.