BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó




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          |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE            |                       ACR 114|
          |Office of Senate Floor Analyses   |                              |
          |(916) 651-1520    Fax: (916)      |                              |
          |327-4478                          |                              |
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                                    THIRD READING


          Bill No:  ACR 114
          Author:   Gallagher (R), et al.
          Amended:  3/10/16 in Assembly
          Vote:     21  

          ASSEMBLY FLOOR:  Read and adopted, 3/10/16

           SUBJECT:   Grand Jury Awareness Month


          SOURCE:    Author


          DIGEST:          This resolution proclaims the month of March 2016 as  
          Grand Jury Awareness Month in California, recognizes those who  
          volunteer in a grand jury, and encourages all Californians to  
          learn about its role in the judicial system.
          ANALYSIS:   This resolution makes the following legislative  
          findings:


          1)California's grand jury system is present in each of our 58  
            counties and consists of citizens selected by the superior  
            courts. 


          2)At the beginning of the legal investigation process, grand  
            juries (a) decide whether there is probable cause that a  
            criminal act occurred and if there is enough evidence to  
            indict a person, (b) within their civil jurisdiction, oversee  
            local governments, and (c) reserve the power to accuse public  
            officers of misconduct. 


          3)Grand juries, as gatekeepers of our justice system, ensure  








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            that citizens have a role in the justice process and that the  
            justice process operates effectively.


          This resolution proclaims the month of March 2016 as Grand Jury  
          Awareness Month in California, recognizes those who volunteer in  
          a grand jury, encourages all Californians to learn about the  
          great role of the grand jury in the judicial system, and  
          applauds those who have made the grand jury so successful.


          FISCAL EFFECT:   Appropriation:    No          Fiscal  
          Com.:NoLocal:    No


          SUPPORT:   (Verified3/28/16)


          California Grand Jurors' Association
          California Special Districts Association
          Sutter County Grand Jurors' Association


          OPPOSITION:   (Verified3/28/16)


          None received


          ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:     The California Grand Jurors'  
          Association writes, "The California grand jury system is unlike  
          any other in the country. As an instrumentality of the Superior  
          Court, the grand jury is uniquely positioned to further the  
          goals of efficiency, accountability, and integrity in local  
          government. Through its reports, it facilitates positive change  
          in the community it serves. Those who step forward to serve as  
          grand jurors deserve the gratitude and support of all of the  
          citizens of this state."












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          Prepared by:  Melissa Ward / SFA / (916) 651-1520
          3/30/16 15:39:16


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