New Merced County grand jurors selected

Nineteen members have been selected to serve on the 2015-16 Merced County civil grand jury, Merced Superior Court officials have announced.

This year’s grand jury is made up of residents from Atwater, Los Banos and Merced, Merced Superior Court Judge Mark V. Bacciarini said in a statement.

The 2014-15 Merced County grand jury’s report was released Tuesday. Check back later this week for coverage of the grand jury’s findings.

The panel investigates complaints about city and county government agencies, special districts and school districts. The recommendations the group makes don’t have to be followed, but government agencies must respond to the findings in writing. Complaints and grand jury investigations are kept confidential. Sometimes, a grand jury returns an indictment. If that’s the case in Merced County, a new criminal grand jury is chosen.

Prospective grand jury members must apply and complete a screening process before they are selected and sworn in.

This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 11:48 AM with the headline "New Merced County grand jurors selected."