Prospective Grand Juror
Background Investigations

What to Expect During the Background Investigation Process

The Background Investigation Process

The Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department is responsible for Grand Jury background investigations.  The background investigations are conducted to assure that applicants meet the requirements set forth in California Penal Code §893, which states:

A person is competent to act as a grand juror only if in possession of each of the following qualifications:

• The person is a citizen of the United States of the age of 18 years or older who shall have been a resident of the state and of the county or city and county for one year immediately before being selected and returned.
• The person is in possession of his natural faculties of ordinary intelligence, of sound judgment and of fair character.
• The person is possessed of sufficient knowledge of the English language.

A person is not competent to act as a grand juror if any of the following apply:

• The person is serving as a trial juror in any court of this state.
• The person has completed service as a grand juror in any court in this state within one year.
• The person has been convicted of malfeasance in office or any felony or other high crime.
• The person is serving as an elected public official.

The Basic Background Investigation

Record Checks:

• Local police department(s) of city of residence and employment
• Orange County Automated Warrant Service System
• FBI Criminal Record System
• California Wanted Person System
• California Department of Motor Vehicles
• Credit reporting agency
• Orange County Registrar of Voters
• Orange County Superior Court indexes
• Federal Bankruptcy Court indexes
• Orange County District Attorney's Office

Interviews:

• With current employer or previous employer if prospective juror is retired.
• With the prospective juror at his/her home.
• With selected neighbors of the prospective grand juror.

Written Report to Committee

Upon completion of the background investigations, the investigator submits a written report on each of about 90 selected applicants to the Superior Court judges of the Grand Jury Recruitment/Selection Committee.

If You Are Selected To Participate In the Final Draw

The 25 to 30 candidates selected to participate in the Final Draw will be scheduled for fingerprinting by the Sheriff's Department.

Conclusion

The background investigation is not designed or intended to be an adversarial process, but it is thorough. Cooperating with the Sheriff's Investigator speeds the investigation and minimizes any inconvenience.

If You Have Questions . . .

If, as a prospective grand juror, you have any questions regarding the background investigation process, please contact the Sheriff's Professional Standards Division at (714) 834-5311 or (714) 834-5316. Please note that the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department requires a California Notary Public to verify your identity on the "Authorization to Release Information" form included in the application packet.