Who Sits On The Riverside County Grand Jury? Here They Are ...

Beginning next week, a new group of volunteers will begin serving as grand jurors for Riverside County, both investigating public agencies to identify possible mismanagement, and hearing evidence of crimes that might warrant indictments.

The 19-member civil grand jury, which includes 10 women and nine men, is in session year-round.

The new grand jurors are Jim Benson, Linda Bennecke, Joyce Easton, Deborah Fuller, Elmer German, Robert Gillis, Alvin Horn, Sharon Hymas, Alice Irwin, Everett Martin, Maryln Nistler, Dawn Nygaard, Mike Pernarelli, Linda Plummer, Carolyn Powers, Don Rapp (foreperson), Barbara Schlegel, James Tegrmeyer and Sandra Younger.

They start four days of training on Monday.

Efforts to solicit applications for the grand juror positions included notices in local newspapers and information posted on the court's web site. The court received more than 100 applications and 92 applicants received interviews.

Applicants have to be nominated, such as by a local city council member. To be considered, an applicant must be an American citizen 18 years old or older, a county resident for at least a year, have "sound judgment and fair character" and speak English;

Future applicants should be available for weekly hearings and meetings, not currently serving as a trial juror, not an elected official and have no felony convictions. Panelists are not salaried but do receive a small per diem payment to cover expenses and are compensated on mileage.