San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Nancy Fineman on Wednesday afternoon rejected a motion from defense lawyers that the corruption trial of Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith should be dismissed because of Smith's resignation Monday.

With few exceptions, the grand jury report’s observations, conclusions and recommendations landed squarely on one side of the city’s political divide–led by Mayor Lisa Gillmor–that was on the losing end of the 2020 council elections, promping the 49ers to call for an investigation of the grand jury for conflicts of interest. Today, the final version of the report revealed that two members had recused themselves because of possible conflicts.

The grand jury serves as the county's civil watchdog agency and may examine all aspects of county and city government, special districts and school districts, according to the announcement.

The case against the sheriff will proceed because San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Nancy Fineman, in a ruling filed Thursday, rejected Smith’s requests that misconduct charges be dismissed.

Attorney General Bonta announced he is opening a wide-ranging civil rights investigation into the sheriff’s office.

Monthly poll panelists believe that mandatory lockdowns aren't necessary because of widespread availability of vaccines, and roughly half believe that Sheriff Laurie Smith should resign or serve out the balance of her term and not seek re-election.

Explosive anger was a top contender for emotion of the year in 2021. A month-by-month look at some of the stories.

The courts are looking for volunteers to serve on the Civil Grand Jury for the coming 2019-through-2020 session. 

Despite a low crime rate, Santa Clara County takes longer to resolve felony cases than anywhere else in the state.

An investigation into the Santa Clara Valley Water District has identified conflicts of interest between the public agency and consultant RMC Water and Environment, as well as allegations of fraudulent billing.

Santa Clara County's female inmates are too often prevented from signing up for vocational training, according to a new report.

A high-ranking Santa Clara County official was placed on paid leave Thursday in the wake of a report that pointed to widespread dysfunction under his watch. Don Moody, the public administrator/guardian/conservator, was escorted out of his office, sources tell San Jose Inside.

Countless crime victims are being cheated out of restitution money in Santa Clara County, according to a new Civil Grand Jury report.

The intake center for children entering foster care in Santa Clara County remains unsafe, even after two years of scathing reports calling for change, according to a new audit.

The 2009-2010 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury today released a 33-page report titled Cities Must Rein in Unsustainable Employee Costs that says, “Employee costs are escalating in the cities of Santa Clara County, revenues are not keeping pace with these increases and cities are cutting services.” The Grand Jury looked at rising wages, health insurance, pensions, and vacation, holiday, and sick leave and made recommendations to control costs.