Grand Jury In The News

The Marin 2018-2019 Civil Grand Jury was awarded the “Best Grand Jury Report” for its report “Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach” by the California Grand Jurors’ Association at their Annual Conference on October 26, 2020. The report’s recognition and presentation of the unprecedented danger posed by wildfire and the specific recommendations made, became the foundation for the proposal to form the JPA referendum that was passed by over 70% of Marin County voters. The result is the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority that has brought together 17 different fire districts, municipalities and communities service districts to proactively prevent wildfires though preparedness methods.

Quick Link to Articles by Year on this Page

2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
2023	2024	2025

NOTE: Marin County Civil Grand Jury Reports of the last 6 years can be found at Marin County Grand Jury Reports and Responses.
Earlier reports must be requested by year and name.

2025 Articles

Date	Headline & Link to Article	Grand Jury Report
Feb 9	Who would lead if a countywide disaster strikes? Dick Sportswood, Marin IJ	No referenced Grand Jury report

2024 Articles

Date	Headlines & Link to Article	Grand Jury Report
Dec 1	HOUSING AUTHORITY Hackers hit Marin agency for $950,000 Marin IJ	Cyberattacks: A Growing Threat to Marin Government Published May 11, 2020 Cyber Preparedness: Are We There Yet? Published May 17, 2024
June 25	Report: System failing seniors – Watchdog urges action to keep elders housed Marin IJ – front page	Watchdogs seek scrutiny of agricultural easements Marin IJ	Special education criticisms debated Marin IJ – front page	To Learn or Not to Learn: Are Children With Learning Differences Set Up for Success? Published June 6, 2024
June 9	Dick Spotswood: Ignoring Marin sea level rise is costliest option Marin IJ	Broaden fight against Marin cyberattacks Marin IJ	New Marin agency urged to manage sea-level rise Marin IJ	County buying system faulted – Report cites risks for misuse of credit cards Marin IJ – front page	Marin girl testifies at hearing on e-bikes Marin IJ	Bolster hacking defense – County panel calls for cybersecurity agency Marin IJ – front page	Cyber Preparedness: Are We There Yet? Published May 17, 2024
May 25	Marin civil grand jury calls for cybersecurity authority Marin IJ	California Senate passes bill aiding SMART tax renewal Marin IJ	Novato facing tax proposal as financial scrutiny continues Marin IJ	MMWD to study effects of climate change on dam system Marin IJ	Marin grand jury urges stronger e-bike restrictions for youths Marin IJ	Stronger youth e-bike rules urged Marin IJ – front page	Marin grand jury: End school supplies solicitation Marin IJ	Panel to Schools: Provide Supplies Marin IJ – front page	Government Structure Inefficient for seniors in need Marin IJ	What Have They Done? An Update on the Responses to the 2022-2023 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Reports Jury Reports     Published April 8, 2024
Apr 22	Report rebukes County Offices – Watchdog panel cites ongoing agency flaws Marin IJ – front page	What Have They Done? An Update on the Responses to the 2022-2023 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Reports   Published April 8, 2024
Apr 21	Marin watchdog faults report subjects for noncompliance Marin IJ	What Have They Done? An Update on the Responses to the 2022-2023 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Reports Published April 8, 2024
Apr 21	Keeping score on Marin Civil Grand Jury recommendations Dick Spotswood: Marin IJ	What Have They Done? An Update on the Responses to the 2022-2023 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Reports  Published April 8, 2024
Apr 19	SMART tax renewal could get boost from state bill Marin IJ	2023 Articles Date Headline & Link to Article Grand Jury Report Oct 22 Marin County Civil Grand Jury 2022-2023 – Final report Summaries Marin IJ Marin County Civil Grand Jury Final Reports Marin IJ website Oct 22 SMART looks to enhance communications strategy Marin IJ SMART at a Crossroads Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? Published June 22, 2023 Aug 20 The Novato mobile park makes a strong case Marin IJ Novato’s Chronic Fiscal Deficits: A Call to Action Published June 8, 2023 Aug 18 Supervisors plan DA office study MarinIJ Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied — Marin District Attorney’s Office in Crisis Published May 15, 2023 Aug 17 SMART set to launch intense tax renewal plan Marin IJ SMART at a Crossroads Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? Published June 22, 2023 Aug 13 Focus placed on services structure Marin IJ The Coming Wave of Older Adults —Is Marin Prepared? Published May 30, 2023 July 30 Marin DA fires back at grand jury Marin IJ Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied — Marin District Attorney’s Office in Crisis Published May 15, 2023 July 23 Dick Spotswood: SMART must reach ridership projections Marin IJ SMART at a Crossroads Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? Published June 22, 2023 July 15 Dick Spotswood: Marin needs to solve issue of confusing, varied ADU fees Marin IJ Build More ADUs – An Rx to Increase Marin’s Housing Supply Published June 15, 2023 July 15 Editorial: SMART must convince taxpayers to extend support Marin IJ SMART at a Crossroads Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? Published June 22, 2023 July 10 Water utilities need improved dam safety plans Marin IJ Dam and Reservoir Safety Water May Save Us – Water May Drown Us Published June 27, 2023 July 9 Keep a close eye on behavioral health in Marin Marin IJ Marin’s Behavioral Health Services: All Calls for Help Need to Be Answered Published June 20, 2023 July 7 SMART urged to build trust to survive Marin IJ SMART at a Crossroads Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? Published June 22, 2023 July 7 Profitability numbers conflict for Novato mobile home park Marin IJ Novato’s Chronic Fiscal Deficits: A Call to Action Published June 8, 2023 July 6 Marin grand jury urges SMART to bolster public support for sales tax renewal Marin IJ SMART at a Crossroads Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? Published June 22, 2023 July 3 Clear hurdles for ADUs so they can help Marin IJ Build More ADUs – An Rx to Increase Marin’s Housing Supply Published June 15, 2023 June 29 Officials ponder ongoing deficits Marin IJ Novato’s Chronic Fiscal Deficits: A Call to Action Published June 8, 2023 June 27 Novato gets $30M offer for its mobile home park Marin IJ Novato’s Chronic Fiscal Deficits: A Call to Action Published June 8, 2023 June 24 County adopts $784M budget MarinIJ Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied — Marin District Attorney’s Office in Crisis Published May 15, 2023 June 23 Budget issues need solution for city’s health Marin IJ Novato’s Chronic Fiscal Deficits: A Call to Action Published June 8, 2023 June 19 County must raise wages for in-home health workers Marin IJ The Coming Wave of Older Adults —Is Marin Prepared? Published May 30, 2023 June 18 Novato cold raise sales tax to address budget deficit Marin IJ Novato’s Chronic Fiscal Deficits: A Call to Action Published June 8, 2023 June 14 Sales tax increase urges for Novato Marin IJ Novato’s Chronic Fiscal Deficits: A Call to Action Published June 8, 2023 June 11 Editorial: Listen to calls for expanded senior services Marin IJ The Coming Wave of Older Adults —Is Marin Prepared? Published May 30, 2023 June 11 Energy blackout defense urged Marin IJ Electrical Resiliency — It’s Time to Do More Published June 5, 2023 June 10 Marin grand jury: Water utilities should fortify dam safety plans Marin IJ Dam and Reservoir Safety Water May Save Us – Water May Drown Us Published June 27, 2023 June 9 DA: Funds fall short for case backlog Marin IJ Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied — Marin District Attorney’s Office in Crisis Published May 15, 2023 June 5 Panel: Boost office for aging Marin IJ The Coming Wave of Older Adults —Is Marin Prepared? Published May 30, 2023 May 30 Editorial: Marin deserves fact-based response from its district attorney Marin IJ Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied — Marin District Attorney’s Office in Crisis Published May 15, 2023 May 21 DA’s office tied to case backlog Marin IJ Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied — Marin District Attorney’s Office in Crisis Published May 15, 2023 May 20 Marin grand jury blames DA’s office for backlog of cases Marin IJ Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied — Marin District Attorney’s Office in Crisis Published May 15, 2023 May 15 Grand jury report blames Marin County D.A. for excessive case delays SF Chronicle Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied — Marin District Attorney’s Office in Crisis Published May 15, 2023 May 8 Marin Voice: Supervisors should fulfill promise, push for oversight of Sheriff’s Office Marin IJ Sheriff Oversight: The Time Is Now Published June 15, 2022 Jan 25 Marin Voice: County Civil Grand Jury sounds a call to serve Marin IJ No referenced Grand Jury report Jan 20 How climate change may impact Marin Marin IJ Climate Change: How Will Marin Adapt? Published September 11, 2020 2022 Articles Date Headline & Link to Article Grand Jury Report Nov 28 Marin Voice: Cities, towns should act now to create all-electric construction ordinances Marin IJ Electrifying Marin’s Buildings: A Countywide Approach Published June 6, 2022 Aug 29 Marin Voice: Examining MMWD decisions from a firefighters’ perspective Marin IJ A Roadmap to Water Resilience for Marin Municipal Water District Published June 13, 2022 Water, Water Anywhere? A Review of Marin’s Water Resources Published April 27, 2005 Sept 24 Marin County Civil Grand Jury 2021-2022 Final Report Summaries Marin IJ sponsored advertisement insert Marin County Civil Grand Jury Final Reports Published April 11, 2022 – June 24, 2022 Sept 13 Marin water supplier defends drought response in report Marin IJ Affordable Housing: Time for Collaboration in Marin Published June 24, 2022 July 5 Marin grand jury: Housing crisis calls for collaboration Marin IJ Affordable Housing: Time for Collaboration in Marin Published June 24, 2022 July 2 Dick Spotswood: Grand jury’s MMWD critique intensifies need for clarity before election Marin IJ A Roadmap to Water Resilience for Marin Municipal Water District Published June 13, 2022 June 28 Marin grand jury endorses citizens oversight board for sheriff Marin IJ Sheriff Oversight: The Time Is Now Published June 15, 2022 June 26 Marin supervisors approve $716 million budget Marin IJ COVID-19 Response in Marin County: Successes and Next Steps Published May 25, 2022 June 21 Marin grand jury report blasts water supply planning Marin IJ A Roadmap to Water Resilience for Marin Municipal Water District Published June 13, 2022 June 15 Grand jury says emergency office could report to supes instead of sheriff Pt Reyes Light COVID-19 Response in Marin County: Successes and Next Steps Published May 25, 2022 June 14 Marin panel urges faster shift to all-electric buildings Marin IJ Electrifying Marin’s Buildings: A Countywide Approach Published June 6, 2022 May 31 Marin grand jury recommends sweeping review of COVID-19 response Marin IJ COVID-19 Response in Marin County: Successes and Next Steps Published May 25, 2022 May 30 Marin Voice: County comes together for upcoming gun buyback event Marin IJ The Gun Next Door: Firearm Safety in Marin County Published October 30, 2020 May 21 Marin supervisors accept grant for schools cop Marin IJ School Resource Officers Revisited Published May 30, 2019 May 5 Marin panel assesses pandemic’s effects on schools Marin IJ Marin Schools: A Prescription for COVID Recovery Published April 27, 2022 Feb 26 Marin DA restores local sexual assault examinations Marin IJ Sexual Assault in Marin Evidence Collection, Processing and Backlog Published April 25, 2018 Feb 23 Breakthrough on Localization of Sex Assault Exams  News Releases & Advisories for Marin County Sexual Assault in Marin Evidence Collection, Processing and Backlog Published April 25, 2018 2021 Articles Date Headline & Link to Article Grand Jury Report Sept 22 San Rafael council declares climate emergency Marin IJ Climate Change: How Will Marin Adapt? Published September 11, 2020 Jan 6 Editorial: Marin must coordinate wildfire evacuation plans now Marin IJ Roadblocks to Safer Evacuation in Marin Published January 7, 2021 Jan 3 Editorial: More can be done to curb Marin opioid overdoses, deaths Marin IJ Opioid Misuse: Strengthening Marin County’s Response Published December 14, 2020 January 2 Marin panel urges stronger planning for wildfire evacuation routes Marin IJ Roadblocks to Safer Evacuation in Marin Published January 3, 2021 2020 Articles Date Headline & Link to Article Grand Jury Report  Dec 23 Marin Grand Jury Recommends Strengthening Opioid Misuse Response Pacific Sun Opioid Misuse: Strengthening Marin County’s Response Published December 14, 2020 Dec 21 Marin panel urges stronger response to opioid crisis Marin IJ Opioid Misuse: Strengthening Marin County’s Response Published December 21, 2020 Nov 25 Marin Voice: Civil Grand Jury gives supervisors a call for climate action Marin IJ Climate Change: How Will Marin Adapt? Published September 11, 2020 Oct 31 Marin grand jury focuses on students’ mental health Marin IJ Reading, Writing, and Therapy: Mental Health Challenges in Our Schools Published October 23, 2020 Nov 21 Marin grand jury seeks unified gun safety initiatives Marin IJ The Gun Next Door: Firearm Safety in Marin County Published October 30, 2020 Nov 1 Marin grand jury focuses on mental health of students Marin IJ Reading, Writing, and Therapy: Mental Health Challenges in Our Schools Published October 23, 2020 Sept 23 Watchdog calls on county to ‘reboot’ climate strategy Marin IJ Climate Change: How Will Marin Adapt? Published September 11, 2020 Sept 22 Marin grand jury calls for centralized climate change plan Marin IJ Climate Change: How Will Marin Adapt? Published September 11, 2020 Aug 6 Without trust, Marin City redevelopment plan won’t proceed Editorial: Marin IJ Golden Gate Village: The Clock is Ticking Published May 24, 2018 Aug 6 Clock is still ticking for Golden Gate Village residents Marin Voice: Marin IJ Golden Gate Village: The Clock is Ticking Published May 24, 2018 July 30 Panel sees good response to its views on issues Marin IJ A One-Year Update on the Issues Covered by the 2018–2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Reports Published July 20, 2020 July 29 Watchdog says public agencies should improve access to salary information Point Reyes Light Follow-Up Report on Web Transparency of Agency Compensation Practices Published April 28, 2020 June 1 Grand Jury Report: Cyberattacks: A Growing Threat to Marin Government Marin Post Cyberattacks: A Growing Threat to Marin Government Published May 11, 2020 Apr 29 Report: Marin public entities still lacking on pay transparency Marin IJ Follow-Up Report on Web Transparency of Agency Compensation Practices Published April 28, 2020 May 29 City, county online security problems costly Marin IJ Cyberattacks: A Growing Threat to Marin Government Published May 11, 2020 May 28 Editorial: City, county online security problems costly for Marin residents Marin IJ Follow-Up Report on Web Transparency of Agency Compensation Practices Published April 28, 2020 May 18 Report: Marin governments still unsafe from hackers Marin IJ Cyberattacks: A Growing Threat to Marin Government Published May 11, 2020 May 11 Public agencies need to do better job sharing salary information Marin IJ Follow-Up Report on Web Transparency of Agency Compensation Practices Published April 28, 2020 Feb 28 IJ Readers’ Forum: Overflow letters about the March 3, 2020, election Marin IJ Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach Published April 25, 2019 January 7 Marin judge considers request for desegregation information Marin IJ No referenced Grand Jury report 2019 Articles Date Headline & Link to Article Grand Jury Report  November 23 Editorial: Marin Civil Grand Jury has a right to investigate Sausalito-Marin City schools Marin IJ No referenced Grand Jury report November 19 Grand Jury probes deal over school segregation Marin IJ No referenced Grand Jury report August 17 Marin schools anti-vaping grant: Nearly $500K a year through 2022 Mercury News Vaping An Under-the-Radar Epidemic Published May 16, 2019 July 5 Students ‘underserved’ in career technical education Marin IJ The Status of Career Technical Education in Marin County Published June 27, 2019 July 4 The Marin County “Community Service Contracts” Program – Investigative Report (4 parts) Marin Post The Community Service Funds – A Revisit After 12 Years Published January 7, 2013 June 19 Civil grand jury calls for more school resource officers Point Reyes Light School Resource Officers Revisited Published May 30, 2019 June 18 Grand Jury Says County Lacks Leadership in Telecom Techwire Marin’s Telecommunications Disconnect Published June 13, 2019 June 3 Marin grand jury calls for more school resource officers Marin IJ School Resource Officers Revisited Published May 30, 2019 May 21 Marin Civil Grand Jury Calls for Crackdown on Vape Epidemic CBD Magnates Vaping An Under-the-Radar Epidemic Published May 16, 2019 May 21 Youth Vaping Is An ‘Epidemic’ Patch Vaping An Under-the-Radar Epidemic Published May 16, 2019 May 20 Marin civil grand jury urges vaping crackdown Marin IJ Vaping An Under-the-Radar Epidemic Published May 16, 2019 May 13 Marin grand jury calls for bolstering SMART transit options Marin IJ SMART First Mile/Last Mile Options Published May 9, 2019 April 29 Marin grand jury calls for wildfire tax, new agency Marin IJ Wildfire Preparedness A New Approach Published April 25, 2019 2018 Articles Date Headline & Link to Article Grand Jury Report  June 14 Report Recommends School Buses to Relieve Traffic in California County Schoolbus Fleet Yellow School Bus for Traffic Congestion Relief Published June 8, 2018 June 11 Marin civil grand jury calls for countywide school bus program Marin IJ Yellow School Bus for Traffic Congestion Relief Published June 8, 2018 March 4 Marin Jail’s Mental Health Care Still Deficient Anne Arundel County Mental Health Care in Marin County Jail Follow Up Report Published February 28, 2018 2017 Articles Date Headline & Link to Article Grand Jury Report  July 12 Grand Jury sees $1 billion shortfall in Marin public pensions California Political Review The Budget Squeeze: How Will Marin Fund Its Public Employees Pensions? Published June 5, 2017 June 20 Marin Grand Jury Faults Jail on Mental Health Services Cambria County Care of Mentally Ill Inmates in Marin County Jail Published June 15, 2017 2016 Articles Date Headline & Link to Article Grand Jury Report  June 27 Marin Civil Grand Jury calls attention to sex trafficking in new report Marin IJ Marin’s Hidden Sex Trafficking Challenge: It’s Happening In Our Backyard Published June 23, 2016 2015 Articles Date Headline & Link to Article Grand Jury Report  August 1 Marin Officials Like Grand Jury’s Mental Health Plan Placer County Marin’s Mentally Ill: What’s Being Done? Published May 19, 2015 May 24 Marin Civil Grand Jury Cites Flaws in Mental Health Agency’s Budgeting Process Orange County Marin’s Mentally Ill: What’s Being Done? Published May 19, 2015 April 25 Civil grand jury urges Marin supervisors to lead fight against homelessness California Grand Jury News Homelessness in Marin – A Call for Leadership Published April 23, 2015 2014 Articles Date Headline & Link to Article Grand Jury Report  August 3 Marin Voice: Join the grand jury and help improve government in Marin Marin IJ No referenced Grand Jury report July 27 Editorial: SMART leaders should learn from grand juries’ questions Marin IJ SMART-Down the Track Published April 30, 2014 July 24 Marin officials reject grand jury’s airport safety, security proposals Marin IJ Gnoss Field: Yeah, But It’s Our Airport Published May 23, 2014 July 22 Two grand juries slam SMART Argus Courier SMART-Down the Track Published April 30, 2014 July 17 SMART board rejects many Marin grand jury findings, but says it needs to reflect Marin IJ SMART-Down the Track Published April 30, 2014 July 13 Dick Spotswood: SMART board needs to be talking about train service Marin IJ SMART-Down the Track Published April 30, 2014 July 9 Sonoma grand jury report faults SMART oversight Marin IJ SMART-Down the Track Published April 30, 2014 June 30 Editorial: Grand jury shines light on local laws on medical marijuana dispensaries Marin IJ No referenced Grand Jury report June 23 Marin grand jury calls for repair of private laterals Marin IJ The Scoop on Marin County Sewer Systems – Part I The Scoop on Marin County Sewer Systems – Part II Published June 16, 2014 June 16 Marin grand jury: County jail overpaying for medical services Marin IJ Jail Checkup: What’s the Price of a Clean Bill of Health Published June 13, 2014 June 12 Marin watchdog panel says special districts overlooked Marin IJ What are special districts and why do they matter? Published May 29, 2014 June 10 Editorial: Foster care focus is worth jury’s attention Marin IJ Shining a Light on Foster Care Published May 27, 2014 June 6 Editorial: Grand jury report on Gnoss Field a public service Marin IJ Gnoss Field: Yeah, But It’s Our Airport Published May 23, 2014 June 1 Marin grand jury urges county to beef up foster care program Marin IJ Shining a Light on Foster Care Published May 27, 2014 May 14 Marin County officials find it hard to cap spending account Marin IJ The Community Service Funds: A Revisit after 12 Years Published  January 7, 2013 The Community Service Funds – The Supplement Published May 21, 2013 May 14 Marin officials pledge to improve recycling at Civic Center Marin IJ Recycling By the Marin County Government: Walking the Talk Published February 27, 2014 May 9 Novato fire board scandal a ‘cautionary tale” California Grand Jury News No referenced Grand Jury report May 7 Dick Spotswood: SMART train could use a smarter board of directors Marin IJ SMART-Down the Track Published April 30, 2014 May 7 Novato fire board scandal a ‘cautionary tale,’ grand jury says Marin IJ Novato Fire Protection District Board: A Cautionary Tale Published May 1, 2014 May 5 Editorial: IJ recommends a ‘yes’ vote on Measure A Marin IJ Libraries Aren’t Just for Books Anymore Published May 3, 2013 May 3 Marin Readers’ Forum for May 3 Marin IJ School Suspension: Less is More Published March 21, 2014 April 15 Editorial: Marin grand jury finds disconnect in school discipline Marin IJ School Suspension: Less is More Published March 21, 2014 April 5 Marin grand jury calls for fewer school suspensions Marin IJ School Suspension: Less is More Published March 21, 2014 March 13 Editorial: San Rafael’s traffic cameras demise deserved council deliberation Marin IJ Red Light Cameras: Big Money, Big Brother or Big Safety? Published May 14, 2012 March 1 Grand jury: Marin County Civic Center flunks recycling 101 Marin IJ Recycling By the Marin County Government: Walking the Talk Published February 27, 2014 2013 Articles Date Headline & Link to Article Grand Jury Report  August 8 Marin Officials Dismiss Grand Jury Recommendations on Marijuana NBC Bay Area Medical Marijuana: Up in Smoke? Published May 17, 2013 May 21 Marin Grand Jury Rejects CA High Court’s Decision on Banning Pot Shops Independent Voter News Medical Marijuana: Up in Smoke? Published May 17, 2013