Grand Jury Is an Important Watchdog Its Members Are Almost Always Too Old, White, and Wealthy

East Bay Express ^ | July 11, 2018 | George Strait

[artichokegrower]

I have just completed two years’ service on the Alameda County Civil Grand Jury — a remarkable civic gem. This Civil Grand Jury does not indict people for crimes; instead, it is a citizen’s watchdog group that identifies waste, mismanagement, and process failures in county and government agencies and then recommends fixes.

[artichokegrower]

Despite its important work, the grand jury has a serious structural problem: It doesn’t reflect the vibrancy and diversity of the county. Its members now and for most of its history are basically old, white, and wealthy.

Serving on a grand jury is an honor that entails dedicating time and effort for which you receive no monetary compensation. Old white people have a culture of volunteering for community service dedicating their time and resources for no financial return.

[NEMDF]

From the article, this one seems to be a citizens’ watchdog group (not standard Grand Jury). I am guessing that there are plenty of other citizens’ watchdog groups that reflect the diversity the author feels is missing.

[ClearCase_guy]

The author is a racist, ageist Communist. Why does he hate people like me? I’m totally triggered. If you need me, I’ll be in my safe space.

[FrdmLvr]

I knew someone who served on a grand jury and although he was white, he wasn’t old or wealthy.

[Vigilanteman]

Our county gets the same wrap because most of our election boards are a similar demographic even if we get paid a pittance ($100 for a 14 hour day).

One of the "people of color" they recruited failed to show up to open up the polls. When they finally caught up with him, he told them it was a rainy day and he could make more money driving for Uber. No thought whatsoever about the responsibility he was abandoning!

[FrankR]

I would expect grand jurors to be wise (the wisdom of age), not impoverished (so as not to vote just to enrich themselves), and intelligent...you fill in the blanks.

The recurring theme I have noticed in the past fifty years is, when blacks get elected, serving “the people”, to them, only applies to “black people”. I.e., Obama, Maxine, the black caucus, etc.

The only thing they represent in their district/state, is the minorities, and minority issues...the rest of us can just go to hell, and fork over our tax cash to support minority issues.

This tribal, group, mentality is why I am very skeptical of most blacks - not all - but most to gain office.

White politicians - on the other hand - ALSO bend over backwards to support minority causes (for the votes, ya know, and to try and prove they are not “ractsts”. The only problem being, to many minorities, being “white” is racists, in itself.

So, don’t lecture me about the affirmative action of grand jury servitude, I watched, and learned, from the OJ trial.

[carmen2017]

But the Old G. J. members can Read and Count over 20 with their shoes on.

[kingu]

I honestly had no idea what Grand Juries in California did until I stumbled across their annual reports in various counties. Still wondering why Sutter County’s grand jury did not publish an annual report this year. The local paper seems pretty uninterested in finding out.

Going through previous annual reports, it really does seem like the public’s watchdog on county and city government. Not to mention fulfills a number of state (and court) mandated inspections of such things like jail facilities.

[Truthoverpower]

You put those folks on and the corruption continues unabated
You need tough people who can take slings and arrows
Ask Trump

[deport]

How Do I Become A Civil Grand Juror?

Prospective civil grand jurors are nominated by judges of the Alameda County
Superior Court. To be eligible for nomination, a citizen must first submit an
application that may be obtained from the Alameda County jury commissioner.
The qualifications required are: U.S. citizenship, residence in Alameda County
for at least one year, and be at least 18 years of age, and have a sufficient
knowledge of the English language. Convicted felons and those who have been
discharged from service on a grand jury within one year are ineligible for grand
jury service. Judges from the Superior Court then review the applications and
the applicants’ backgrounds before conducting personal interviews of the applicants.
Civil grand jurors are expected to attend grand jury meetings on average
two days each week.

Once a sufficient number of citizens have been nominated, 25-30 names are selected
as nominees. The nominees must equally represent each of the five supervisorial
districts in Alameda County. At an official ceremony, 19 jurors are selected
to serve for a one year term. At the discretion of the presiding judge, up to
ten members of the prior grand jury may be held over for an additional year of
grand jury service.

http://acgov.org/grandjury/juror.htm

[artichokegrower]

I received a summons for grand jury service. I never volunteered or submitted an application. I am involved with two public service volunteer groups. At once a year we get a workshop on diversity. I would never and have never discriminated against any member due to race or other factors but I am not going to recruit on that basis either. Key word is volunteer.

[deport]

A grand jury and an a civil grand jury are two different entities.

[cranked]

Here we go again with the social justice sh*t revolving around old, rich, WHITE men.......#facepalm

[Dana1960]

My 30+ year old son served on a grand jury last year. Trial lasted for 4 weeks. He basically let his business “go” for that month, trying to run it & dealing with the staffing issues of his employees during the off hours. It cost him a boatload of money, personally. Took months for my kid to get back to even.

This cat can kiss my ass.

[publius911]

Grand Jury Is an Important Watchdog Its Members Are Almost Always Too Old, White, and Wealthy

Clearly, George Strait, ain't.
But he is certainly enlightened...

We can all agree that Grand Juries should be...

Young, under 20, and totally ignorant.
Clean slates.

Africans, in real or invented African Garb.
From a parasite Welfare family for at least 4 generations.
Justice warriors.
Expert 'Virtue signalers.'
Veteran Antifa warriors.
Insane Hillary operatives, e.g. the raving lunatic Strzok

< /s >

[Trailerpark Badass]

Lol, “vibrancy,” leftist code for 3rd world-esquestions dysfunction.

[moovova]

George Strait should stick to country music.