Scenarios of Actual Cases (What Would You Do?)
What Would You Do?The following scenarios are based upon actual situations faced by former grand jurors. Names, places and outcomes have been altered to protect confidentiality. It is recommended that some of these scenarios be discussed as a learning tool on what to do and what not to do. |
Scenario # 1The foreperson reads to the Grand Jury a letter of complaint from a highly respected official in the county accusing a colleague of falsifying credentials to obtain a high position in the county office. The foreperson does not reveal the name of the complainant. The letter of complaint is supported with documentation provided by the complainant. What questions would you offer the Foreperson? What should be decided before the investigation takes place? Who would you interview? After a complete investigation has taken place, what actions should the Grand Jury take if the accusation had merit? Did not have merit?Scenario # 2As a committee member, you receive a phone call from a friend who makes you aware that certain cities are not getting service from the County Animal Shelter. What would be your first action? Does this situation warrant an investigation? If your committee decides to investigate this accusation, what steps should be taken?Scenario # 3The Foreperson receives a letter of complaint from a parent who accuses an administrator and the Special Education Committee in her school district of allegedly misappropriating Special Education Funds for other purposes. She provides the Foreperson with sundry letters and records that are contradictory. The Foreperson gives the letter of complaint to the Education Committee Chairperson. What steps does the Committee Chairperson take? Who would you interview? After a thorough investigation your committee concludes there was some impropriety; however, nothing illegal could be proven. What should the Committee Chairperson do? If the Education Committee decides to include this investigation in the final report, what actions should be taken?Scenario # 4The Foreperson learns from an article in the local newspaper that the police department in one of the cities in the County is using excessive force when dealing with suspected criminals. The article indicates that an unusual number of suspects have been killed during the process of arrest. The Foreperson assigns this task to the Law Enforcement Committee Chairperson. In the process of investigation, Grand Jurors are denied access to police records and the police department representatives are completely uncooperative. What should the committee do? If higher authority does not support the position taken by the committee, what alternatives should be taken? How far should the grand jury go with this case?Scenario # 5As a Grand Juror you decide to make a required visit to the County Jail. The manual provides you with suggestions on what you should be looking for. What type of questions would you prepare for this trip? Who would you interview? If you decided to interview some prisoners at the county jail, what questions would you ask? What records would you inspect? What type of questions would you ask county officers? After you have gathered enough information worthy of a report, who would you present your report to? |
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