MODEL ESSAY
AN ARM OF THE LAW
Visiting the San Mateo County Association of Grand Jurors' (SMCAGJ) website proved to be a rewarding educational journey. Browsing the informative "Teacher's Guide" and "Learning Center" pages of the website motivated the visitor to peruse additional material more closely to digest the significance of the information made available.
In short order, the visitor became aware of why the grand jury system established in California is so essential to the welfare of all the citizens living in the 58 counties of the State of California. It was indeed a revelation to learn that each year each county selects a civil grand jury presiding judge and 19 grand jurors to address letters of complaints made against local governments or school districts for malfeasance or incompetent administration of governmental or educational duties. The reader did not realize that county citizens can seek the assistance of the civil grand jury to right a wrong made by the local government or local school districts against any citizens living in the county.
What proved to be additionally interesting was the number and difference among the several grand juries established in the State of California. Not only did the reader learn the pronunciation of "petit courts", the visitor also became familiar with the different compositions, selection processes, functions and mission of the 1) Petit Courts, 2) Civil Grand Jury, 3) Criminal Grand Jury, and 4) Federal Grand Jury.
The sui generis website format and the wealth of resource material made readily available to the visitor will certainly stimulate revisits to this creative site.
The most valuable lesson learned by the visit to this website was the fact that grand juries made up of citizens from all walks of life are an “Arm of the Law” whose influence and authority safeguard the freedoms and rights of each citizen living in the sundry counties of California.
If you have any questions about this site, please contact grandjurors@co.sanmateo.ca.us