Pool for O.C. jury is diverse

The applicant pool for the 2006-07 Orange County Grand Jury has the largest percentage of minorities in recent years, according to the Orange County Superior Court.

Twenty-one percent of the 171 people who applied for the grand jury are minorities.

The grand jury recruitment committee aggressively canvassed Orange County to search for applicants. The court held an informal meeting with community leaders to discuss ways to reach out to the community to attract more applicants from Orange County’s diverse population.

Superior Court judges will interview applicants and the Sheriff’s Department will conduct background checks. Superior Court judges will then submit the nominations into a drawing from which 19 individuals will be selected to serve on the grand jury. The grand jury term begins July 3.