Plumas Civil Grand Jury Struggling to Find Members

PLUMAS COUNTY — Acting on a request from County Counsel Joshua Brechtel and District Attorney David Hollister, the Plumas County Board of Supervisors voted two weeks ago to reduce the size of the county’s civil grand jury from 19 to 11 members. Hollister said in requesting the change that the grand jury is “struggling right now to fill the current allotment of jurors and to maintain quorum so they can meet and do business.” He explained that, since the county’s population has dropped below 21,000, state law allows Plumas, as a smaller county, to have a reduced grand jury. The change would give the jury “an opportunity to work more efficiently and more effectively,” he said. Supervisor Tom McGowan pointed out that other county boards have had similar challenges keeping a quorum because of the area’s changing demographics and shrinking volunteer base. The change was approved unanimously in a roll-call vote.

Every California county has a civil grand jury made up of citizens who may volunteer or be summoned by the court. They serve as independent citizen watchdogs over local government by investigating and reporting on county agencies and officials. They can also recommend prosecution if they find evidence of corruption or misconduct.