Merced County accepting grand jury applications

The Merced Superior Court is accepting applications for the grand jury, a body that has struggled to find enough recruits in recent years.

The grand jury serves as a public investigative arm by publishing reports and recommendations regarding local government agencies, including the county, local cities, jails, special districts and school districts.

Jurors serve a one-year term, with the next period to begin on July 1. The deadline to apply is May 6.

Qualifying members must be U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old. They must have lived in Merced County for at least one year; have sufficient knowledge of the English language; and possess sound judgment, good character and a sense of fairness. Grand jurors must be available to serve at least 20 hours a month.

Qualified applicants will be interviewed by Superior Court Judge Paul Lo and Superior Court Executive Officer Linda Romero-Soles. Once the top 25 to 30 candidates are selected, 19 people are chosen by random drawing to be members of the grand jury, along with four alternates.

Four members of the current Merced County grand jury are serving their third consecutive terms even though state penal code allows for two terms. Other counties, such as Merced’s neighbor Madera, also allow jurors to serve beyond two terms.

Merced County hopes to attract more candidates this year by recruiting residents from the regular pool of jurors, said Romero-Soles.

“We’ve been showing a grand jury video when the regular jury comes in,” Romero-Soles said. “After that, the staff gives out information and applications. With a room full of regular jurors, the audience is there. Some courts said doing that has been way more successful.”

Romero-Soles hopes to receive applications from residents across Merced County in order to have all areas represented.

Jose Delgadillo, a 71-year-old Merced man, has served a total of five terms on the county grand jury, though not consecutively.

Delgadillo, who moved to Merced in 2006 from the Bay Area, said he became involved with the grand jury as a way to contribute to the community and because he was concerned about the local governments.

“It has been a very exciting experience, not only for myself but for all the things that go on in the community, city governments and heads of departments,” he said. “We have a very good team.”

Delgadillo encouraged residents who are interested to apply. “The process is very easy. The selection, different story.

“The selection is done by the presiding superior court judge,” Delgadillo said. “He has to use his best judgment to see who could be an asset to the grand jury. You don’t want any liabilities because that doesn’t serve the purpose.”

Any qualified residents interested in serving on the grand jury may contact the court by calling the executive assistant at 209-725-4172. Applications can be downloaded online at www.mercedcourt.org or the Merced County website at www.co.merced.ca.us.

This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 4:03 PM with the headline "Merced County accepting grand jury applications."