Quick Take
Santa Cruz County's civil grand jury should have access to records, interviews and documents as it does its job, as mandated by the state constitution, writes Jill Wynn, who served on the Santa Cruz grand jury in 2022-23. She takes issue with former sheriff Jim Hart, who has criticized the grand jury for its past findings and has made what she calls “unfounded accusations of bias” against the 19-person civilian body. She calls on current sheriff Chris Clark to support the work of the grand jury and make documentation available to jurors and the public.
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In the recent Lookout article, “County watchdog strikes a positive tone, praising local government in grand jury reports,” former Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart was once again quoted making unfounded accusations of bias against the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury.
As a former juror who served on the 2022–23 panel, I feel compelled to respond, and to set the record straight.
Each year, the Santa Cruz County Superior Court convenes a civil grand jury of 19 jurors for a one-year term. Similar to other juries, grand jurors are individual citizens who volunteer their time. These citizens are randomly selected from a pool of applicants to investigate the operations of county and city governments, special districts and other public agencies, ensuring they are functioning effectively and within the law. A superior court judge presides over a swearing-in ceremony binding each juror to their duties, and provides guidance and oversight throughout the term.
Grand juries have existed since the adoption of California’s original constitution in 1849-50. Section 23 of Article 1 of the state constitution requires that a grand jury “be drawn and summoned at least once a year in each county.” Each newly impaneled civil grand jury determines which officers, departments and agencies it will investigate during the one year term. Additionally, California Penal Code Section 919(b) specifically mandates that grand juries inquire into the condition and management of public prisons within the county. The public prisons in Santa Cruz County fall under the purview of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
CIVIL GRAND JURY: Find Lookout news coverage and links to reports here
I chose to apply for the civil grand jury after I received encouragement through the city’s highly respected 2022 Citizen Police Academy led by Santa Cruz Police Lt. Karina Cecena. That’s right, some local law enforcement actively encourages civic participation and transparency by supporting service on the civil grand jury.
Unfortunately, during my time on the jury, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office – under then-sheriff Hart – declined to provide information relevant to our investigations. This lack of cooperation was documented in the report, Surveillance State in Santa Cruz County: Who Surveils Those Who Surveil Us?
A prior civil grand jury recommended additional sheriff’s office oversight in a 2021 report: “Within six months the Board of Supervisors should either establish a Sheriff Oversight Board or Inspector General as provided in Government Code 25303.7, or alternatively place the issue before the voters in the county.”
The board of supervisors took action in 2023 establishing an inspector general via the Los Angeles-based OIR Group as an oversight body. This work does not replace the civil grand jury, but it does offer continuity and expert knowledge in law enforcement, as seen in publicly available OIG reports.
Our county has new leadership at the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Chris Clark brings a refreshing focus on community partnership and transparency.
His recent launch of the Care Alert program is a prime example; this is a voluntary system allowing families to share critical information about people with cognitive or behavioral conditions to improve law enforcement response in emergencies. It’s a smart, compassionate initiative that puts people first, and this idea was brought forward by a local citizen.
I’m hopeful Sheriff Clark will continue to support community engagement, including encouraging qualified citizens to serve on the civil grand jury. This vital institution exists not to antagonize public officials, but to investigate and improve the operations of local government on behalf of all residents.
Allowing jurors access to sheriff’s office documentation and interviews with jailed persons will broaden public knowledge. Santa Cruz County is a compassionate community. Residents expect that while justice is being served, the community stays informed.
The civil grand jury is not a political clique.
The state constitution mandates this independent, citizen-led watchdog. It deserves respect and cooperation, not knee-jerk defensiveness or unfounded claims of bias.
Let’s keep our focus on constructive dialogue, transparency, and the shared goal of better governance in Santa Cruz County.
Jill Wynn was a Santa Cruz County civil grand juror in 2022–23. She is a retired market researcher, a Santa Cruz master recycler volunteer and an avid hiker.