The civil Grand Jury is a division of the Superior Court, keeping watch over numerous government agencies, cities and districts throughout Santa Barbara County. A separate criminal Grand Jury is formed by random draw from trial jury lists, when necessary to decide criminal indictments.

Description:
The Grand Jury may investigate, evaluate and make recommendations to any city, county or special district agency that receives county funds. California law requires the Grand Jury to inspect County and city jails and detention facilities, and to review County financial accounts and records. The Grand Jury relies on its own discretion and citizens’ suggestions to determine other issues to investigate.

The Presiding Judge of the Superior Court each July impanels 19 Grand Jurors to serve for one year, fulfilling the duties as outlined under state law. The judge appoints a foreperson who presides over the jury. The Grand Jury elects other officers and organizes itself. The Grand Jury meets in a weekly general session. Smaller investigative committees meet throughout the week.

History:
The concept of juries dates back to the Norman times in the ninth century. By 1215 the jury concept had evolved into a guarantee expressed in the Magna Carta that no free man would be imprisoned or (dispossessed) or exiled or in any way destroyed except by the lawful judgment of his peers. In the United States the Massachusetts Bay colony impaneled the first grand jury in 1635 to consider cases of murder, robbery and wife beating. The U.S. Constitution's Fifth Amendment and the California Constitution call for grand juries. Grand juries were established throughout California during the early years of statehood.

Contact person: Jury Services, Intake Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (805) 568-3301

Address:

Grand Jury Room, Santa Barbara County Courthouse Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (See a map)