Court extends grand jury application deadline

The Orange County Superior Court is looking for qualified residents to serve on its grand jury and has extended its application deadline to Jan. 30 to help fill the open seats.

The court impanels a new 19-member grand jury each year for a term that starts July 1, Judge Charles Margines said in an announcement about the deadline extension. Recruitment for the 2015 panel has been lagging behind previous years, court spokeswoman Gwen Vieau said.

“We are hopeful that by extending the application deadline, a sufficient number of qualified individuals will apply, especially from the cities of Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia and Santa Ana,” Margines said.

Residents who have lived in Orange County for more than one year can apply. To qualify, they must also be at least 18 and a U.S. citizen, have sufficient knowledge of English and possess “sound judgment and a sense of fairness,” according to the court.

Grand jurors earn a $50 stipend for each day of work up to five days a week.

After Superior Court judges interview candidates and select the top 25 to 30 prospects, the final 19 members are selected at random.

More information is available online at ocgrandjury.org, by phone at (657) 622-6747 or in person at the jury commissioner’s office, 700 Civic Center Drive W., Santa Ana.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck