Sybh Patient Absent Without Leave

Recommendations 2

• R1

  Page 26
  The Grand Jury recommends that the criminal justice system continues to pursue the embezzlement incident with regard to the Booster Club.
• R2

  Page 34
  Any patient who leaves SYBH without permission must be taken to Rideout’s Emergency Room for medical clearance prior to being returned to SYBH. Local law enforcement should be notified of this requirement, and SYBH policies should be amended to reflect this procedural change. Responses  Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health  Sutter County Board of Supervisors  Sutter County Human Services Department  Yuba City Police Department  Yuba County Board of Supervisors Reports issued by the Civil Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code Section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Civil Grand Jury. Yuba County 2016 – 2017 Grand Jury The Grand Jury Process 25 Applications for service are received by the Jury Commissioner and reviewed by the Presiding Judge. Effort is made to impanel an ideal jury of qualified men and women of diverse socio-economic, ethnic, educational backgrounds, representative geographical areas of the county, as well as age groups. By court policy, and at the discretion of the Presiding Judge, up to 10 members of the previous year's jury may serve a second term to provide continuity. A total of 19 people serve on the Grand Jury. From the remaining candidates, a drawing is held to provide for alternates. Yuba County jurors are sworn in and begin their one-year term commencing the first day of July. The Presiding Judge appoints a foreperson to preside at meetings. The jury then chooses the remaining officers and organizes itself into committees. Each committee sets its own program of committees, investigations and interviews. The committee then investigates various departments and functions of local government as it chooses and reviews compliance with previous Civil Grand Jury recommendations. Department heads are interviewed, on-site visits are made and departments' strengths and weaknesses are investigated. Some subjects to be investigated are brought about by letters from citizens regarding complaints of alleged mistreatment by officials, suspicion of misconduct or governmental inefficiencies. Such complaints are kept confidential. If the situation warrants, and after investigation, the Grand Jury may make appropriate recommendations for action. A large portion of the public mistakenly believes that an individual appearing before the Grand Jury, particularly a public official, suggests malfeasance or misfeasance. It should be clearly understood that it is the constitutional responsibility of the Grand Jury to review the conduct of county government each year. This entails having public officials appear before the jury to provide information to the jury relative to their departments or offices. While Grand Jurors are a part of the Judicial System and are considered as officers of the court, the Grand Jury is an entirely independent body. The Presiding Judge, the District Attorney, the County Counsel, and the State Attorney General act as advisors, but cannot limit actions of the jury except for illegality. Because of the confidential nature of a Grand Jury's work, much of it must be done in closed session. Members of a Grand Jury are sworn to secrecy, thus assuring all who 26 appear that their complaints will be handled in an entirely confidential manner. No one may be present during sessions of the Grand Jury except those specified by law (Penal Code 939), and the minutes of its meetings may not be inspected by anyone, nor can its records be subpoenaed. The law provides that every Grand Juror must keep secret all evidence adduced before the Grand Jury, anything said by a Grand Juror or the manner in which a grand juror may have voted on a matter. By law it is a misdemeanor to violate the secrecy of the Grand Jury room. A Grand Juror must not confide any information concerning testimony of witnesses or action of the jury even to a spouse or close friend. "Leaks" concerning Grand Jury proceedings inevitably will impair or even destroy the effectiveness of Grand Jury efforts. Mid-year and final reports may be prepared that describe problems and contain findings and recommendations. Responses are required from any public agency, and 60 days from any elective county officer or agency head. GENERAL INFORMATION A major function of the Yuba County Grand Jury is to examine local county and city government, special districts, school districts, and any joint powers agency located in the county to ensure their duties are being carried out lawfully. The Grand Jury:  May review and evaluate procedures used by these entities to determine whether more efficient and economical methods may be employed;  May inspect and audit the books, records and financial expenditures as noted above to ensure that public funds are properly accounted for and legally spent;  May investigate any charges of willful misconduct in office by public officials;  Shall inquire into the condition and management of the public prisons within the county. Anyone may ask the Grand Jury to conduct an investigation of an issue within its jurisdiction. Whether it chooses to investigate such a complaint is entirely in its discretion 27 and may be affected by workload, resource limitations or legal restrictions. It is important to note that the Grand Jury may not investigate a matter that is currently being litigated in the court system. By law, the proceedings of the Grand Jury are confidential. The findings and recommendations and issues it chooses to address are published in its final report. 5th Street, Suite 213, Box 5 Marysville, CA 95901 (530) 749-7341 grandjury@co.yuba.ca.us 28 Yuba County 2016 – 2017 Grand Jury Complaint Process and Complaint Form 29 COMPLAINT PROCESS  Present your complaint as soon as possible. The Grand Jury’s term of service begins July 1st and ends June 30th of the following year.  Identify your specific concern and describe the circumstances as clearly and concisely as possible.  Document your complaint with copies of pertinent information and evidence in your possession.  You may find the Complaint Form on the internet at: http://www.co.yuba.ca.us/departments/grand%20jury/documents/GJ_Complaint.pdf  You may also email the Grand Jury at: grandjury@co.yuba.ca.us  Mail or deliver your complaint in a sealed envelope to: 5th Street, Suite 213, Box 5 Marysville, CA 95901 Among the responsibilities of the Grand Jury is the investigation of the public’s complaints to assure that all branches of city and county government are being administered efficiently, honestly and in the best interest of its citizens. Complaints submitted to the Grand Jury will be treated confidentially whenever possible. However, it may be impossible to conduct an investigation without revealing your name and complaint. The results of the complaints investigated by the Grand Jury are published in its final report in which the residents of the county are made aware of its investigations,