Kern County Superior Court is accepting applications through March 13 from qualified citizens interested in being nominated to serve on the Kern County grand jury.
The grand jury is made up 19 citizens who are interviewed and nominated by Kern County Superior Court judges, with a goal of a volunteer pool representative of the ethnic and cultural diversity of the county.
Final selection takes place in June through a random drawing held in open court, according to a Superior Court news release.
Grand jurors serve as an investigative body to ensure local governments operate efficiently and public funds are spent responsibly. The grand jury also hears evidence of public offenses presented by the Kern County District Attorney’s Office and may issue criminal indictments.
Grand jurors, who serve a one-year term beginning in July, serve about 20 hours a week.
Candidates must be United States citizens, at least 18 years of age, have a working knowledge of the English language and have resided in Kern County for at least one year.