San Diego Countys Grand Jury is a panel of regular people with the power to probe. They get to audit county agencies and inspect the jails, then come back with findings and recommendations.

San Diego Superior Court is looking for people to fill next years panel, seeking dedicated residents with sound judgment to make up the 19-member body tasked with investigating complaints and watchdogging local government. The application period to be a candidate just opened and will close on Jan. 10.

To get a sense of the grand jurys work, take a look at its website at sandiegocounty.gov/grandjury. Last years group looked into cannabis in San Diego and dog bites countywide. Prior years have included a look at how drugs and contraband get into county jails, and the use of smart streetlights in the city of San Diego.

The panel looks into civil matters. It does not look into criminal cases.

Grand jurors work four days a week, roughly six hours a day, starting July 1 and running through the end of June 2026. Panel members get a $25 stipend per day, plus mileage. The grand jury office is in downtown San Diego at 550 West C St, Suite 860. Parking is provided.

Applications can be submitted online — a new option this year. Application packets can be downloaded from the courts website at sdcourt.ca.gov/GrandJury or at the Grand Jurys website listed above.

Packets can be also obtained by calling 619-450-7272 or picked up at the Central Courthouse in downtown San Diego. They can also be obtained in East County at the El Cajon courthouse, in North County at the Vista Courthouse, or in South County at the Chula Vista courthouse.