Grand Jury
The Kern County Grand Jury
The Constitution of the State of California requires that every county impanel a grand jury each year. The grand jury serves is an arm of the judicial system but works as an independent body. Every year the Kern County Superior Court impanels 19 citizens from the community to serve as the Kern County Grand Jury.
Apply to Become a Grand Juror
The Kern County Superior Court is now accepting applications from qualified citizens interested in being nominated to serve as grand jurors for the time period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
Apply before March 13, 2026.
Prospective jurors are required to attend a Mandatory Grand Jury Information Overview meeting on March 19, 2026, and if selected, a one-day training on July 6, 2026, unless otherwise notified by the Superior Court.
Grand jurors must make a time commitment of a minimum of 5 hours a day, 4 days per week (Monday – Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) for Grand Jury work for one fiscal year, July 2026 through June 2027.
Alternates must remain available for one fiscal year, July 2026 through June 2027, to serve as a juror on the Grand Jury if called upon.
Qualifications
To be eligible to serve on the Grand Jury, you must be:
- A citizen of the United States
- At least 18 years or older
- A resident of the state and of Kern County for one year immediately before selection
- In possession of natural faculties, of ordinary intelligence, of sound judgement, and of fair character
- Possess sufficient knowledge of the English Language
- You must not be serving as a trial juror in any court of this state
- You must not have been discharged as a grand juror in any court of this state within one year
- You must not have been convicted of malfeasance in office or any felony or other high crime
- You must not be serving as an elected public officer
If you have questions regarding the application process, contact (661) 610-6221.