Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Carrie Stephens presided over the selection of the 2024-2025 Civil Grand Jury members on June 27 in Modesto.

The jury’s term is for one fiscal year, which began July 1, 2024 and runs through June 30, 2025.

The grand jury’s purpose is to investigate and report on the operations of local government. The grand jury’s fact-finding efforts result in a written report which contains specific recommendations aimed at identifying problems and offering recommendations for improving government operations and enhancing responsiveness. In this way, the grand jury acts as a representative of county residents in promoting government accountability.

Seated on the panel were Paul Troop of Oakdale, with Mark Ellenburg of Riverbank named as an alternate. Judge Stephens appointed Charlene Cano of Modesto as Foreperson of the 2024-2025 Civil Grand Jury. She also appointed two members from the previous year as holdovers. Sixteen names were then selected randomly to complete the 19-member grand jury panel. Two additional names were selected as alternates. The alternates would be asked to serve in the event that a regular grand juror resigns or is removed.

Immediately after the selection process and swearing-in ceremony, the new panel attended an orientation session. They will also attend a required training session presented by the California Grand Jurors’ Association, a not-for-profit educational organization, on July 11 and 12.