The Grand Jury is a division of the Superior Court that keeps watch over numerous government agencies, cities and districts throughout Santa Barbara County.

Selection Process

What to Expect

Each spring the Superior Court solicits applications for volunteers to serve on the Grand Jury. A Superior Court committee interviews applicants to discuss their interests, qualifications and the duties they will be expected to undertake.

After applications are screened, prospective jurors attend a group interview.  People are generally selected from each supervisorial district for additional screening.  One month prior to the July 1st commencement of the Grand Jury’s term of service, the screening process reduces the panel to thirty.

The law provides that the presiding judge may hold over as many as ten members from the previous Grand Jury to be included in the total of nineteen jurors. Alternates may be selected to replace any juror unable to complete a full term.

The final nineteen are impaneled by drawing on July 1st of each year and serve a one-year term (July 1 through June 30). The new Grand Jury is then sworn and instructed. Those names not drawn will remain as Grand Jury alternates to fill any vacancies that occur. The Grand Jury serves during the fiscal year of this county.

Persons selected for Grand Jury service must make a commitment to serve a minimum of three days per week for the term of service.

Grand Jurors are compensated by per diem based on actual number of days required in service.  They are also reimbursed for personal vehicle usage at the prevailing rate per mile.

SBCGJ Expectations