Policy Text
Court Security Division P age 1 of 2 3/07 (REV 6/11)
Procedures: Grand Jury Assignments
The purpose of this Operations Or der is to establish duties and responsibilities
applicable to officers assigned to Grand Jury hearings at the G ordon D. Schaber
Courthouse facility. I. Policy
A. Occasionally, the Grand Jury i s convened to consider special criminal
indictments. The Court Security Division will furnish officer s to provide
security and bailiff services for these hearings. All informa tion discussed
during these proceedi ngs is confidential.
II. Authority
A. No person shall be held to ans wer for a capital or otherwise infamous
crime unless on a presentment o r indictment of a Grand Jury.
1. U.S. Constitution , Fifth Amendment
B. The Grand Jury may inquire int o criminal cases, conditions, and
management of local prisons, and into the willful or corrupt mi sconduct of
public officials.
1. California P enal Code §919
C. Grand Jury members must not d isclose any evidence, testimony ,
discussion, or votes that took pla ce during the investigation. This
confidentiality covers all parties present during the investiga tion and
includes the court reporter, any attorneys, and officers.
1. California P enal Code §924.1
III. Officers’ Duties
A. Officers providing securi ty for the Grand Jury shall:
1. Ensure that no one is allowed on the same floor as the Grand Jury
except for:
a. Members of the Grand Jury.
Court Security Division P age 2 of 2 3/07 (REV 6/11) b. Judge.
c. Court Reporter. d. District Attorney. e. Subpoenaed witnesses. f. County or Court maintenance employees assigned to that
floor.
2. Maintain the security and int egrity of witnesses waiting to testify
and those who have testified.
3. Restrict members of the press from the floor and direct them to the
press room on another floor.
4. Restrict unauthorized persons from the basement parking area .
B. Officers must keep the existence of the Grand Jury hearing, the context of
the hearing, and those persons involved confidential.
1. Officers assigned to this dut y will not discuss proceedings until after
the content, as a matter of reco rd, becomes public information.