The Napa County Chapter of the Civil Grand Jurors' Association

The Napa County Chapter of the Civil Grand Jurors' Association The Napa County Chapter of the Civil Grand Jurors' Association The Napa County Chapter of the Civil Grand Jurors' Association

The Napa County Chapter of the Civil Grand Jurors' Association

The Napa County Chapter of the Civil Grand Jurors' Association The Napa County Chapter of the Civil Grand Jurors' Association The Napa County Chapter of the Civil Grand Jurors' Association

What is the Napa County Civil Grand Jury?

  

The Grand Jury serves as a civic watchdog, operating under the Napa County Superior Court. Each year, the Court appoints 19 local citizens to serve from July 1 to June 30.

Jurors investigate local government operations, finances, and public services. They also review complaints about local government from the public. The Grand Jury is a unique opportunity to gain insight into local government and contribute meaningfully to the community.


After being sworn in, Jurors receive training on investigative procedures and report writing. The Grand Jury independently selects topics to investigate, including citizen complaints, suspected misconduct, or inefficiencies in local government. All jury matters and complaints are confidential. Final reports include recommendations that agencies must respond to. The Grand Jury receives guidance from County Counsel, the District Attorney, and the Presiding Judge.


The Grand Jury system dates back to 12th-century England and was introduced to America in 1635 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It has been part of California’s Constitution since statehood in 1850. Napa County convened its first Grand Jury in the 1850s and continues to operate under the state mandate requiring a Grand Jury in every county.

Joining the Grand Jury

The Responsibilities of a Grand Juror Include:


Term: One year, starting July 1 

Time Commitment: Varies; the jury determines its own schedule and workload 

Legal Duties: 

  • Inspect county jails and detention centers 
  • Review operations and records of county departments and agencies 
  • Investigate selected local governments (cities, school districts, etc.)

Confidentiality: All meetings and investigations are confidential 

Requirements: File a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700)


Ready to Apply? To be considered for the next Grand Jury, submit an application by clicking here or the button below. 

Join the Grand Jury

About the Napa County Chapter of the Civil Grand Jurors' Association

The Napa County Chapter of the California Grand Jurors’ Association (CGJA) is made up of current and former civil grand jurors in Napa County. Established in 2001 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3), our mission is to raise awareness about the Grand Jury system, encourage public participation, and support the work of the CGJA statewide.


Membership is open to all current and former Napa County grand jurors.


By joining, you can:

  • Continue serving your community in a unique way
  • Help recruit and educate future grand jurors
  • Follow up on responses to Grand Jury reports
  • Attend regional meetings and share insights
  • Vote in chapter decisions
  • Stay connected with fellow jurors


Membership levels:

  • 1 year – $40
  • 2 years – $80
  • 10 years – $150


To join, download and print the membership application (see Downloads section), and bring it to a meeting or mail it with your check to:

Napa Chapter CGJA
P.O. Box 2496
Yountville, CA 94559

Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 4:00 PM.


Officers of our Chapter for 2024-2025:

Kort van Bronkhorst, President 

Ron Ryan, Vice President and Treasurer 

The Napa Chapter and the State CGJA

The Mission of the Napa Chapter of the CGJA

The Mission of the Napa Chapter of the CGJA

The Mission of the Napa Chapter of the CGJA

To uphold and promote the value of the Civil Grand Jury system in Napa County through:


  1. Assisting the court in recruiting qualified grand jurors
  2. Supporting and advising each year’s sitting Grand Jury
  3. Sharing best practices with the state CGJA and other chapters

Supporting the State CGJA

The Mission of the Napa Chapter of the CGJA

The Mission of the Napa Chapter of the CGJA

Many Napa Chapter members also contribute at the state level. The CGJA:

  • Trains most grand jurors across California
  • Operates a support Help Desk
  • Publishes guides and handbooks
  • Shares updates and news at cgja.org
  • Honors outstanding grand jury reports with statewide awards
  • Tracks legislation affecting the Grand Jury system


Want to learn more or get involved? Visit cgja.org.

Find out more

Downloads

memb form NCC-CGJA (1) (pdf)Download
Napa CGJA bylaws 2014 (pdf)Download

Video

Watch a brief message from Governor Gavin Newsom on the importance of the Civil Grand Jury.

Previous Investigations

Each year the Napa County Grand Jury investigates County and City agencies to provide an independent opinion of the effectiveness of these agencies. The Grand Jury issues reports on the investigations and makes recommendations to the relevant agencies. The agencies are required by law to  formally respond to the Grand Jury recommendations. These reports and the agency responses can be found on line.

View Grand Jury Reports

Previous Grand Juries

2007-2008

Bill Trautman Foreperson

2008-2009

Bill Trautman Foreperson

2009-2010

John Morris Foreperson

2010-2011

Judith Bernat Foreperson

2011-2012

coming soon

2012-2013

coming soon

Previous Grand Juries

2013-2014 and 2014-2015 Coming Soon???

2015-2016

Top Row: Victor Connell, Charles Eckstrom, Lonnie Payne, Thomas Gans, Russell McNutt; 2nd Row: Thomas McBroom, Kirk Candland, Ronald Ryan, Richard Chesi; 3rd Row: Paul Roberts, Judge Elisa Ortiz, Lynn Stevenson, Kerri Dorman;  Bottom Row: Marion Ladbrook, Joyce Wallace, Kathy Glass, Michael Hrad.  Not Pictured: David Bailey, Henry Bunsow, and Margaret Niland.

2016-2017

Top Row: Ronald Ryan, Robert meanza, Thomas Gans, Richard Faenzi, George Mackey; Middle Row: Joel Lewis, Roddy Hayman, John Morris, Margaret Niland, Howard Felter; Bottom Row: Charles Koch, Marion Ladbrook, Leslie Myers Not Pictured: Diana Doyle, Brian Jacobs, Maxine Lachman, Kathleen Morgan

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