Mono County Grand Jury
What is it and do you need its help?
Mono County has its own Grand Jury, but many of the county’s citizens may not be aware of what the Grand Jury actually is and does. Recently the Grand Jury released an overview to inform the public as to how it works and ways its services may be able to help you.
The Mono County Grand Jury is an investigatory and inquisitional body created for the protection of society and the enforcement of law. It is an agency of the Superior Court, which created it as a judicial body. The Mono County Grand Jury is a civil Grand Jury only, an independent and separate body that acts apart from the Court.
A Grand Jury represents all the people of the county. Its Members hold a high trust, and to most people, they are the guardians of the integrity of the government and the advocates of citizens’ rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
The Grand Jury is a “watchdog.” Its powers, although broad, are carefully defined and limited by legal statutes. The Grand Jury does not have the function of the legislative or administrative branches, and it is not a police agency. Since it is a civil watchdog, the following functions are listed in order of priority: 1. Those duties made mandatory by law; 2. Those duties which are “normal watchdog functions” and 3. The handling of citizen complaints.
Each Grand Jury receives numerous communications from citizens, civic groups and government employees relating to real or imagined grievances. The Grand Jury frequently looks into complaints as part of its watchdog duties. Some complaints will be without merit and others will be matters over which the Grand Jury has no jurisdiction. The Grand Jury can make inquiries to determine the validity of the complaint, and, if a complaint is deemed to be valid, can assist in correcting the wrong.
- Do you have a complaint or concern regarding an elected or appointed employee of any governing entity of Mono County? If so, it may be within the purview of the Mono County Grand Jury to investigate.
- How do you contact the Mono County Grand Jury for assistance? All complaints must be received in writing by the presiding Grand Jury. If received late in the fiscal year, it may be referred to the incoming Grand Jury. The Grand Jury term ends June 30 of each calendar year. Send your letter of complaint (forms are available online at www.monocourt.org/grand_jury.htm) to:
Grand Jury
County of Mono
P.O. Box 978
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
–Mono County Grand Jury
