County seeking grand jurors

Because of a shortage of candidates, the application deadline to serve on the Orange County Grand Jury has been extended to Wednesday.

“We have received far fewer applications than in the past 10 years for the 19 grand jurors, who are required by law to serve in Orange County,” Charles Margines, assistant presiding judge of the county’s Superior Court, said in a news release. The one-year term begins July 1.

Applicants must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen, an Orange County resident for at least one year, able to communicate adequately in English and possess sound judgment and a sense of fairness, according to the release.

The grand jury performs civil oversight of local government by reviewing and evaluating county and city agencies, jails, schools and special districts within Orange County and writes a final report with its findings and recommendations.

The grand jury also considers evidence for possible indictment of individuals in felony cases and reviews complaints submitted by citizens.

Superior Court judges interview qualified applicants. Final selection from the top 25 to 30 applicants is accomplished by a random drawing of candidates who equally represent each of the five county supervisorial districts, as required by law.

Grand jurors receive a stipend for each day of service as well as reimbursement for mileage.

The application and more information are available online at https://www.ocgrandjury.orghttps://www.ocgrandjury.org/default.asp, by calling the grand jury hotline at (714) 834-6747, or at the jury commissioner’s office at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce