Amador Grand Jury 2012-2013

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(State the recommendation as written in the grand jury report) State your detailed response to the finding. Response should include progress on your planned action. Attach any supporting documentation. _____________________________________ Follow the same procedures for each finding and recommendation as written in the grand jury report for this agency. ( 3 ) History of the Grand Jury The grand jury is an investigatory body created for the protection of society and the enforcement of law. The U.S. Constitution’s Fifth Amendment and the California Constitution call for grand juries. Grand juries were established throughout California during the early years of statehood. As constituted today, the grand jury is a part of the judicial branch of government, an arm of the court. In Amador County, the grand jury is impaneled annually and is comprised of 19 members. The Superior Court Judge appoints a foreperson who presides at all full jury proceedings and is responsible for directing the business of the grand jury. Grand jurors are officers of the court, but work as an independent body. It is critical to the effectiveness and credibility of the grand jury that all members function without influence from outside parties. The grand jury serves as the “watchdog” of all branches of the county and city governments. It is not answerable to administrations, politicians or legislators. The grand jury represents the public and the public interest. The grand jury may examine all aspects of county and city government and special districts to ensure the best interests of its citizens are being served. The grand jury reviews and evaluates procedures, methods and systems utilized by county government to determine whether more efficient and economical programs may be employed. All complaints to the grand jury are confidential, as are all grand jury proceedings. The grand jury is authorized to: • inspect and audit county books, records, and financial expenditures to ensure public funds are properly accounted for and legally spent • inspect and report on the performance of financial records for special districts or commissions in the county • inquire into the conditions of jails and detention facilities within the county • investigate and report on charges of willful misconduct in office of public officials or employees • investigate and report on “questionable business practices” of public agencies • investigates citizen complaints that fall under the grand jury’s jurisdiction All grand jury finding and recommendations are issued in a written report at the end of each fiscal year. Each report must be approved by at least 12 members of the grand jury. following issuance of a report, officials responsible for the matters addressed in the report are required to respond in writing. The new grand jury reviews the responses of the affected public agencies. Grand jury reports become public record and are available for viewing on the website at: www.amadorcourt.org/grandjury/grandjury.html ( 4 ) 22001122--22001133 GGrraanndd JJuurroorrss Patti Alderson Doug Bellamy Steve Branco Wally Crane Audra Crocker Katie Dunne Jeremy Edwards Heidi Howard Rick Johnson Jr Rebecca Korematsu Carol McComb Paul Molinelli Jr Mike Murray Jane Parmenter Alan Ross Danny Smith Mark Tonn Julie Traxler Marianne Bourgeois ( 5 ) (Page intentionally left blank) ( 6 )