On June 30, 2021, in Department 4 of the Superior Court, Judge Carrie Stephens presided over the selection of the 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury. The jury’s term is for one fiscal year, which began July 1, 2021and runs through June 30, 2022.

The grand jury’s purpose is to investigate and report on the operations of local government. The grand jury’s fact-finding efforts result in a written report which contains specific recommendations aimed at identifying problems and offering recommendations for improving government operations and enhancing responsiveness. In this way, the grand jury acts as a representative of county residents in promoting government accountability.

Jurors and alternates are from Modesto, Oakdale, Ceres, Turlock, Salida, Westley and Patterson.

Presiding Judge Robert B. Westbrook appointed Michael Herrero of Modest as Foreperson of the 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury. He also appointed five members from the previous year as holdovers. Thirteen names were then selected randomly to complete the 19-member grand jury panel. Four additional names were selected as alternates. The alternates would be asked to serve in the event that a regular grand juror resigns or is removed.

Immediately after the selection process and swearing-in ceremony, the new panel attended an orientation session. They also attended a required training session presented by the California Grand Jurors’ Association, a not-for-profit educational organization, on July 12, 13 and 14, 2021.