O.C. Judges Seek Another Diverse Grand Jury Panel

After impaneling the most diverse grand jury ever in Orange County, local judges recently began the task of recruiting a new set of jurors every bit as diverse for next year’s term.

“We were very fortunate this year,” said Superior Court Judge Frederick P. Horn, who chairs the selection committee.

The current group comprises three Latinos, two Asian Americans, two Native Americans, one African American and 11 whites.

“We just have a very diverse county,” Horn said. “And I think the makeup of the grand jury should reflect that.”

The makeup of previous panels had been criticized for a lack of minority representation. But with last year’s success, judges are again reaching out to the county’s various ethnic communities, Horn said. Jurors can’t serve consecutive one-year terms.

Officials have mailed out fliers to nearly 1,000 local companies and 124 minority organizations.

“I recommend it highly,” said Dianne Hoffman, one of five women on the current panel. “You are working a lot, but you’re learning a lot too.”

The grand jury investigates and reports mainly on the workings of public agencies. At the request of the district attorney, the panel may review criminal cases and hand down indictments.

Previous grand juries have reported on everything from security at the county’s public buildings to the quality of care in children’s group homes.

“We are a watchdog agency, and we like to sniff everywhere,” said Joseph Gatlin, the current foreman and the first African American to hold that post.

The 67-year-old retired Marine Corps officer said he would like to see more attention paid to the disproportionate number of incarcerated Latino, black and Asian youths.

“Our jails are full of minorities. The juvenile justice system is full of minorities,” he said. “Who else will care if I don’t care?”

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Because grand jury proceedings are confidential until final reports are released, Gatlin and Hoffman declined to comment on specific investigations.

“It is not just race, but also experience that people bring from their different personal and professional backgrounds,” said Hoffman, 52, a retired Pacific Bell technician and former labor union activist.

This year’s group also includes retired police officers, doctors, an aerospace planner and a journalist.

“I wanted to give something back to the community,” said San Vu, 80, a former judge and political prisoner in Vietnam. “I owe so much to America.”

Grand jurors are paid $25 a day plus transportation costs. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older and a county resident for at least one year.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 31. Those interested should call (714) 834-6747 for more information or visit the Orange County Superior Court Web site at https://www.oc.ca.gov/superior.