CIVIL GRAND JURORS' ASSOCIATION of California
SAN JOAQUIN
A voice for accountability in government in support of the civil grand jury
through advocacy, education and communication.
2025-2026
Stockton City Council: Governance in Turmoil (Case #0125)
"What began as an investigation by the 2025-2026 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury (25-26 CGJ) into complaints regarding alleged Brown Act violations of confidentiality by Stockton City Council (SCC) members revealed far deeper problems with the business of City governance. A pattern of repeated conflicts between Council members emerged over time, suggesting a power struggle within the Council. Key members of the Council appeared to put their personal and political interests ahead of their duty to make sound business and policy decisions for the residents of Stockton. The absence of a permanent full-time City Manager for most of the 2025 calendar year resulted in a lack of checks and balances that typically define the City Council/City Manager system of governance. This report examines how internal battles at City Hall came to dominate the SCC, often at the expense of the City and its citizens whom the Council members were elected to serve."
San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Commission: Coordinating and Planning Growth (Case #0225)
"The San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Commission (SJLAFCo or The Commission) is responsible for reviewing and approving proposed jurisdictional boundary changes including annexations and detachments of territory to and or from the cities and special districts within San Joaquin County. The primary purpose of SJLAFCo, as with all the other 57 counties’ LAFCos in the state of California, is to promote the orderly formation of local governmental agencies for efficiently extending government services, to preserve agricultural land resources, and to discourage urban sprawl."
2024-2025
Old System, New Costs: Confronting Wastewater Inefficiency in Linne Estates (Case #0124)
"The complaint alleged that the San Joaquin County Department of Public Works (DPW) mismanaged the operation of the independent Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) due to continued rate hikes. The 2024-2025 Civil Grand Jury did not find any evidence of mismanagement; rather, it determined that the rate hikes resulted from operational and design inefficiencies. ..."
2023-2024
City of Stockton: Crisis In Government (Case #0123)
"In response to complaints received, the 2023-2024 Grand Jury investigated potential new Brown Act violations by members of the Stockton City Council. Previous complaints regarding the same type of violation by the City Council were also received during the 2022-2023 Grand Jury term. Because those complaints were received late in that term, they were forwarded to the 2023-2024 Grand Jury for evaluation and potential action. The 2023-2024 Grand Jury also received complaints regarding the creation of a work environment of fear within Stockton City Government. The alleged sources of that fear were created by individuals associated with 209 Times, LLC, a Social Media Platform (SMP), through e-mails, and public comments that have left city staff and elected officials continuously intimidated."
City of Tracy: Public Trust Still Not Restored (Case #0323)
"The City of Tracy has been plagued with a city council that cannot form a civil, cohesive governing body willing to set aside differences and personal agendas for the benefit of City residents. The 2018-2019 Civil Grand Jury issued a report entitled “Restore the Public Trust”. That investigation highlighted the inability of the Tracy City Council to work together cohesively, manifested by unprofessional behavior towards each other during public meetings. In addition, a consistent 3/2 voting block existed leading to the termination or forced resignation of a City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and Police Chief. The unexplained departures of the City’s administrative leaders created an unstable working environment at City Hall.."
From the “Reflections” section of the San Joaquin County Grand Jury Final Report 2020-2021.
I learned so much about San Joaquin County. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve with an intelligent, professional, and committed group of people. I have made friends, and I have learned SO MUCH!
To be selected as part of the San Joaquin County Grand Jury was both a surprise and an honor. I was blessed to serve with some of the smartest and intelligent people that I have known. This association became not only a working relationship but also a family-type group.
It has been a year of adventure — learning new things, visiting new places, getting to know new people. There should be a college credit in civics for what we have learned about government.
I have really enjoyed my Grand Jury experience. The camaraderie and collaboration with intelligent adults from different careers have been one of the highlights. Robust discussions often occurred leading to an eventual consensus. The knowledge I gained throughout the investigations has led to an increased awareness and understanding about human nature, business, and local politics.
The Civil Grand Jury is comprised of 19 citizens who are impaneled annually for a one-year term. The Grand Jury has a separate and different function than that of a trial jury and does not hear cases in a courtroom. Instead, Grand Jurors examine and investigate local governmental activities within San Joaquin County.
The current practice in San Joaquin County is that jurors are chosen by lottery from a pool of qualified volunteers. Volunteer now!
