The Kenai City Council adopted a resolution supporting the constitutional right of Alaska Grand Juries to investigate and make recommendations on public welfare and safety concerns. Article 1, Section 8 of the state constitution states that ‘the power of grand juries to investigate and make recommendations concerning the public welfare or safety shall never be suspended.’
Council Member Deborah Sounart explains to the council why she sponsored this resolution:
“The grand jury is there to be the judicial arm that is closest to the people. The grand jury is supposed to be accessible by any person and it’s been lost here in Alaska. I mean we can access our grand jury, but then they get shut down by the attorney generals and by judges. They’re not being able to do, yes, they’re doing what the courts tell them to do, or what the courts tell them to investigate, the grand jury itself is supposed to bring forth investigations on their own. Attorney generals and judges are not supposed to dampen that process, but that process is being stomped out.”
Concerns have been raised alleging that grand juries have not been able to conduct independent investigations on issues not brought by the district attorney. In supporting the right of grand juries, the City Council states that it appears state law needs to be revised to create a mechanism for independent jury investigations.
The cosponsors of the resolution state that while this is an issue of state law and requires a state remedy, it is an issue that affects residents of the city of Kenai similar to other state residents that need to be remedied.
The City Council requests the legislature enact legislation that provides an adequate mechanism and procedure under state law to provide for independent grand jury investigations.