With roughly a month to go and only 16 applications received so far, Stanislaus County officials are asking those interested in serving on the county’s Civil Grand Jury to apply now.

The applications are being accepted through April 15 for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury. Those who want more information or are interested in applying can contact the Grand Jury Office at 209-525-4252 to request an application by mail, or by visiting the Stanislaus County Superior Court website at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/divisions/grandjury/selectionapplication-process to download an application form.

Officials said they had received just 16 applicants as of this week; they are hoping to have at least 30 potential jurors apply for the upcoming selection process.

A panel appointed by Presiding Judge Sonny S. Sandhu will interview all applicants who qualify to serve on the grand jury, which is made up of 19 members and six alternates.

Civil Grand Jurors must meet the same qualifications as trial jurors. Their term of office is one year, July 1 to June 30. Civil Grand Jurors must be available approximately 20 hours per month. In addition, they must be able to participate in meetings and proceedings remotely via telephone and/or video appearance (a smart phone and internet access are required).

The primary function of the Civil Grand Jury is to act as the public “watchdog” by investigating and reporting upon the affairs of local governmental agencies, including County and City government, special districts, and school districts. Visit the Court’s website at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/divisions/grand-jury for more information on the Civil Grand Jury.

The deadline for submitting applications is Wednesday, April 15, 2026.