Applications are now open for the Marin County Civil Grand Jury, a little-known but consequential institution that serves as Marin’s only independent watchdog over local government.
Each year, 19 Marin residents are selected to serve a one-year term investigating the operations of county and city governments, special districts and certain nonprofit organizations that receive public funds. Empowered by the judicial system and operating independently of elected officials, administrators and legislators, the Civil Grand Jury examines citizen complaints, conducts its own studies of local issues and publishes investigative reports with findings and recommendations intended to improve transparency, efficiency and accountability in government.
The Civil Grand Jury is strictly civil in scope and should not be confused with a criminal grand jury. While a criminal grand jury reviews indictments brought by the county district attorney to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial, the Civil Grand Jury focuses on how public agencies function. Jurors review records, conduct interviews, deliberate in committees and collaborate on written reports that are released publicly once completed.
No legal background is required to serve. According to the Superior Court, jurors are selected for their curiosity, objectivity, sound judgment and commitment to public service. Members are chosen through a formal process that includes an application, background check and interviews. The foreperson is appointed by the Marin County Superior Court, and juror names are announced at the start of each term.
Civil grand jurors attend weekly investigative committee meetings. Because jurors are sworn to secrecy during their term, there are no published meeting agendas or minutes, and the public cannot request jury records. This confidentiality is designed to protect the integrity of investigations and encourage candid participation. Once reports are issued, however, they become part of the public record, and agencies named in them are required to provide formal responses.
The Civil Grand Jury’s budget is included in the annual budget of the County Counsel’s office. The jury does not receive fees, taxes, bonds or grants, and it does not issue requests for proposals or solicit outside bids. Jurors are paid $20 per day for each day they attend a committee meeting and are reimbursed for mileage.
To help prospective applicants better understand the role and time commitment, a series of public informational presentations will be held in February:
- Fairfax Library, 11:30am, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2097 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
- Mill Valley Library, 1:30pm, Thursday, Feb. 19, 375 Throckmorton Ave.
- Sausalito Library, 11:30am, Monday, Feb. 24, 420 Litho St.
- San Rafael Library, 1:30pm, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1100 E St.
- Novato Library, 1:30pm, Thursday, Feb. 26, 1720 Novato Blvd.
For Marin residents interested in hands-on civic engagement and government oversight, serving on the Civil Grand Jury offers a rare opportunity to see how local government works—and to help improve how it serves the public.
More information about eligibility and how to apply is available at bit.ly/marin-cgj.
