|
|
| |
HOME >
DA's Office >
Tulare County Courts |
|
| |
Tulare County
Court System |
|
|
◄ |
|
| |
The "Blue Ribbon" Grand Jury |
|
| |
The
Tulare County Grand Jury serves a significant function for Tulare County
citizens. It is composed of nineteen Tulare County residents. The jury
is empowered by law to examine various aspects of county government,
ensuring that the county is being governed honestly and efficiently, and
that county money is being handled judiciously.
Full grand jury business meetings are held at least twice a month and
many additional committee meetings are conducted regularly to
investigate the proper functioning of county government. This is
accomplished by meeting with county officials, visiting county
facilities, conducting independent research and reaching conclusions
through group discussions. These conclusions are developed into
recommendations for improvement and are presented to the County Board of
Supervisors. A grand jury member is paid $10 for each day served and
receives mileage reimbursements for travel expenses in the county.
Any private citizen, county official, or county employee may present
complaints to the grand jury. An initial complaint may be made by
telephoning the Grand Jury Office at 733-6465 or by correspondence
addressed to the Tulare County Grand Jury, Courthouse, Visalia, CA
93291.
After a telephone conversation, a complaint form is sent to the person
seeking assistance and must be returned immediately containing his/her
complaint. A citizen may also submit a written complaint to the Tulare
County Grand Jury. All complaints or suggestions will be held in strict
confidence and the citizen will be notified of the action taken. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Criminal Indictments |
|
| |
Criminal indictments are handed out by a special criminal grand jury. At
the request of the District Attorney’s Office, the presiding judge of
the Tulare County Trial Courts selects persons, at random, from the list
of trial jurors in civil and criminal cases and impanels a special grand
jury to decide whether or not a criminal indictment should be brought
against the person in question. The special criminal grand jury is
dismissed after it reaches a decision in the matter. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Drug Court |
|
| |
●
Adults |
|
| |
Participants are referred to the Adult Drug Court Program by a probation
officer, who interviews prospective participants to review their
compatibility with the objectives of the Drug Court program, as well as
to determine their suitability for participation. The length of the
program is a minimum of one year, with the last six months to be
completed while “clean and sober” in non-residential treatment.
Upon acceptance into Drug Court, participants enter into a multi-phase
program which requires regular appearances in court where each
participant’s progress is examined. The program places a heavy emphasis
on participating in the 12-Step recovery process as utilized in
Narcotic's Anonymous and Alcoholic’s Anonymous. Each participant is
required to attend weekly meetings and to obtain a “sponsor,” and work
on the steps of recovery as they advance through the Drug Court program.
In addition, all participants in Adult Drug Court are required to phone
their assigned treatment provider daily and submit to random testing a
minimum of once per week. Treatment providers coordinate their efforts
with the various private and public agencies equipped to assist Drug
Court participants in the areas of parenting, life skills, housing, job
search techniques, transportation to meetings, and mental health.
It is the goal of the program that participants develop the skills and
support they need to maintain their sobriety following their graduation
from Drug Court and that they reduce their dependency upon the treatment
provider. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
●
Juvenile |
|
| |
Juvenile Drug Court is a 9-month program. Participants are referred to
the Juvenile Drug Court by a Tulare County trial court because they have
either been arrested or cited for a drug or alcohol-related incident.
The offense can be for any
criminal drug or alcohol related incident. After a juvenile is referred
to the drug court an evaluation is completed to determine whether he/she
is eligible for the program. A recommendation is made to the trial court
and the judge makes the final decision on whether or not the juvenile is
a proper candidate for drug court.
To graduate from the Juvenile Drug Court, participants must make
bi-weekly appearances in court, participate in a points program, and
stay in school. Points are earned for completing school reports,
receiving favorable reports from school counselors, participating in a
twelve-step program at least once a week, and by keeping and writing in
a personal journal.
The Juvenile Drug Court stresses accountability and responsibility for
each participant's actions and the consequences of those actions. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Small Claims Court |
|
| |
The
Small Claims Court is a special court where disputes are resolved
inexpensively and quickly. The hearing is informal. Lawyers are not
allowed. You represent yourself. Claims are limited to disputes of up to
$5,000. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
◄ |
|
| |
|
|
|
