by Catherine McKown, President, Marin Chapter of the California Grand Jurors' Association
One of our new jurors recently asked, “In mentioning to some people that I'm serving on the Grand Jury this year, I've run into naysayers who say, ‘Well, you meet and meet, and talk and talk, and advise and advise, and everything still stays the same.’ I'd like some rebuttal ammo, please. What concrete, quantifiable and specific changes can you point to that the GJ has effected? I think that this is something that we all could benefit from knowing.”
I provided the following response: “There are so many reports that have been successful over the years. Here are three that I talked about at the last CGJA conference on the topic of GJ Report Success Stories, whether Rapid or Slow to Reach Fruition.”
The first example, court security at the Civic Center, took a few years and two reports to implement. The Marin Civic Center building had many security challenges. Before implementation of security screening on the courts floor, there were no impediments to bringing any kind of weapon into a courtroom. The public safety of judicial officers, court staff, attorneys, and court observers was compromised every day. There had been two fatal shootings and a courtroom had been bombed since the courthouse opened in 1969.
Achievement: The courts and sheriff's office have established perimeter security screening since July 2006. All entrances have been locked down and alarmed, so all individuals must pass through magnetometers and have possessions go through x-rays. This has been a very successful program. According to the chief executive officer of the court, approximately 40 questionable objects are turned over to the sheriff's office each week from the screening station.
The second example concerned the unrepresented poor in court at arraignment, the first court appearance. The Board of Supervisors had denied budgeting for this for several years but because of the second grand jury report, a pilot project began less than a year after the report was released.
Achievement: Beginning in March 2007, there was a pilot program for a public defender to be present at arraignment. The program serves approximately 40 people per week. The old/sick, non-dangerous are released. According to the public defender's department, it's a wonderful program. They are reaching out to the community, giving critical information to the court; the calendar is moving more quickly; and there appears to be a savings to the County. This pilot was successful and the program is now permanent. The Public Defender is very enthusiastic about the success brought about by the focus on this issue by the Grand Jury reports.
The third example concerned restraint methods for detainees, especially hog-tying, also known as hobbling.
Achievement: Within 60-90 days, seven of the ten municipal police departments prohibited the practice of hog-tying, and the remaining three police depts. and three cities, as well as the sheriff's office, indicated that they would abide by the best practices recommended by the MCPCA. For example, our largest city has banned hog-tying and is using safer restraint mechanisms, including the WRAP, referenced in the GJ report. The MCPCA is in the process of modifying its Use of Force Protocol and will recommend it to all law enforcement in the County.
There are numerous other reports that have led to changes in the County. I could go on and on.
Catherine
| You, too, may know of some significant accomplishments resulting from Marin Civil Grand Jury Reports. We would love to hear about them and tell our members and the public about them. Hopefully, we can build a library of them that will help inspire people to apply for Grand Jury service. Please send any examples you may know about to Sterling Harwell at sharwell.mccgja@yahoo.com. |