1999-2000 SAN BENITO COUNTY GRAND JURY

  Co-Foreman: Dian Wood Picone
Co-Foreman: Robert Graves
Secretary: Suzanne J. Gere 
Foreman Pro Tem:  Roy McFadden 

**Held over from 1998-1999 Grand Jury
*Unable to complete the year.

GRAND JURY COMPENSATION AND MEETING PLACE

The San Benito County Grand Jury is provided with a meeting place, a mail drawer in the Superior Court Clerk's Office, and a file cabinet. In the past, the Grand Jury conducted its twice-monthly meetings, Committee meetings, and interviews in Courtroom Two at the Superior Court. For some time, it has been observed that this courtroom offers little privacy. The courtroom has large windows along an outdoor veranda/corridor and is not soundproof.

This year, the Grand Jury was allowed to use a conference room, after working hours, at one of the county agencies for its meetings. The gift of this meeting space is greatly appreciated. However, during Grand Jury deliberations, a person was observed walking down the corridor of the agency. She had left the building before it could be determined who she was, whether she had the right to be in the building and how long she had been there. As all Grand Jury business is confidential and deliberations secret the presence of an unknown outsider was of great concern. This occurrence highlighted the fact that the Grand Jury needs a permanent, adequate, and secure meeting place as well as a small office space.

Grand Jury records are kept in a locked file cabinet in a locked office at the County Jail. While this is an improvement on the Grand Jury's prior arrangement, the "locked cabinet" would deter only the most incompetent lock-picker and cannot be considered secure. Most Grand Juries in California are provided with, at least, office space. The San Benito County Grand Jury has none. All reports that are generated by the Grand Jury are created on Grand Jurors' private equipment. Although provided by law, most Grand Jurors do not ask for compensation for paper, ink- cartridges, and other supplies used in the Grand Jury's behalf.

Most of California's County Grand Jury members receive more than the minimum compensation of $10.00 for attendance at each Grand Jury meeting. Many, as well, receive compensation for additional twice-monthly committee meetings. Grand Jurors' devote many more than four hours per month to their duties and do not expect compensation for this time. It is time that San Benito County increased its twice-monthly Grand Jury meeting compensation to $15.00 per month.

RECOMMENDATIONS

AFFECTED AGENCIES

San Benito County Board of Supervisors
San Benito County Superior Court

RESPONSE REQUIRED

California Penal Code, §933, requires that a response to this final report’s recommendations be delivered to the presiding judge of the Superior Court within 90 days of the receipt of the report.