The jury may be out somewhere, but the new 2026-27 Orange County Grand Jury is definitely in.
Since 1890, and pursuant to the California Constitution, a new grand jury has been empaneled every July for the past 136 years.
The grand jury is an independent oversight body whose primary role is to monitor local government, investigate citizen complaints, review evidence for probable cause in criminal cases and produce reports that require formal responses and, ideally, action. To meet its public watchdog responsibility, the jury uses its jurisdictional authority to review local agencies. State and federal agencies are beyond its purview.
Each year, the new panel decides which issues and departments it will investigate. To do so, jurors conduct research, interview witnesses, make site visits and issue subpoenas when necessary. Once their work is complete, a report containing findings and recommendations is delivered to the court.
In some cases, these reports com-mend excellent processes. More often, however, they spotlight questionable or inefficient government operations in hopes of marshaling public opinion and encouraging change.
Recent grand juries have reported on child welfare, airport security, in-custody deaths, water management, toll roads and the true cost of homelessness, among other topics.
The current grand jury, whose term ends June 30, reported on the Board of Supervisors’ controversial salary increase, fire safety, housing density, transportation concerns and jail conditions.
Members of the Orange County Grand Jury Recruitment Committee — all former grand jurors themselves — expressed enthusiasm for the deeply investigative civil reports produced by the grand jury. They pointed to the reports’ thoroughness, comprehensive analysis and transparency, particularly given the pushback often received from local officials when their operations are scrutinized or criticized.
Although not all California counties structure their grand juries in the same way, Orange County’s grand jury consists of 19 jurors selected by lottery from a much larger pool of applicants.
State law requires grand jury applicants to be U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old, residents of Orange County, proficient in English, and of sound judgment and character.
Other desirable qualifications include a general knowledge of government functions, strong research skills, the ability to work collaboratively and the ability to respect and manage differing opinions.
The recruitment process begins each October and is overseen by Kostas Kalaitzidis, public information officer for the Orange County Superior Court and chief of staff for the Judicial Committee for Jury Selection.
Most years, Kalaitzidis receives between 125 and 160 applications. This year, he received 127. He was quick to note that some counties receive only single-digit numbers of applications.
When interviewed, Kalaitzidis said he believes Orange County has one of the most robust grand jury systems in California and that it reflects the civic-mindedness of Orange County residents.
For more information, email PIO@occourts.org.