Remote Jury Duty Experiences

[RedLipClass]

Hi all, I've been summoned for jury duty and the date is fast approaching. I was wondering if anyone has done jury duty since the pandemic started and what was it like? I've to go to a local cinema. I've never don't jury duty before so I'm quite looking forward to it and hope I get picked!

I haven't, but I'm really interested in what you're being asked to do. When you say remote are they broadcasting proceedings to the cinema? Just curious!

@Leftbutcameback Yes, a friend from work had it a few months ago and the jurors were all spaced out across the cinema and the court proceedings were streamed on screen. Each juror had a camera on their face so they were on screen too and could be seen at the court. She said it was quite strange!

Just noticed my spelling mistake in my OP. That should say I haven't done jury duty before

I did it around a month ago, I enjoyed it! (Aside from the court case itself which wasn't fun)

While court is in session there is a camera on each person's face shown in the court where the jury box is, but when not in session, it's quite chill and you can have your coffee sitting next to you for in between sessions and use your phone too.

The only bit I found awkward was for deliberations we sat spread out around the cinema and had microphones to speak which wasn't very conducive to a good debate.

@naemates My friend said the same about the microphones. I think I would find that quite awkward!

My friend was picked straight away but I'm wondering if in some cases is there a lot of "call back tomorrow"? Because I know in normal times you can end up sitting around for days at the court waiting to find out if you've been picked.

Also, what was the food situation like? Were you allowed to take your own food? My friend said they were given lunch but I'm quite fussy so concerned I won't like anything and will be sitting hungry all day. Also are you allowed to sip water during?

Hope you don't mind all the questions

BTW I should say I did get to do jury service pre-covid and found the whole thing fascinating. I used to be a solicitor so it was an insight into what I'd studied!

So I called on the Sunday night and the recording said my number was one of the required ones but to stay home. I went into work anyway as it's not far from my house. They phoned at 11ish to say my number was going into the ballot then at 2ish to say I'd been picked and to show up the next day at 9am.

You get given a very basic lunch, salad or sandwich, crisps, snack, fruit and juice. Aside from the first day, you pick from 5 options; day one they just have a selection and the jurors have to fight over what's there. I took with me on the first day, my bag was searched on the way in and they didn't say anything about me having food with me so it must have been ok. I just ate what I was given the rest of the week because I'm lazy

Happy to answer Qs! I hated not having any idea before I went, so happy to help

Oh sorry, you can sip water only when the court is in session and the judge can see you, and they provided bottles of water.

@naemates Thank you, that's all so helpful! You'd think that they'd tell you all that kinda stuff so you can turn up prepared on the first day! So, if they say you're needed and they'll call you to update you are you supposed to stay at home? Just wondering if like you I'd be better going to work and keeping my phone on me but I'd be scared I'd miss it! Oh, also how do they get your number to phone you? Was I supposed to send something back to them?

I was getting so frustrated with the useless information they sent out. All the usual covid info that everyone knows now but nothing practical!

If you call the night before and they say you might get picked that counts as a court day as that's when you would normally be sitting in the court building waiting to see if you are picked; I only went into work because I'd not long come back from a holiday and had such a backlog - glad I did as I ended up in court for nearly two weeks!

My letter said to email them when I received it with contact details - not sure if that's the same everywhere?? I'm in Glasgow - and I'm now wondering if you're elsewhere in the UK this might be totally different for you?!

I think if you just remember everyone else receives the same terrible instructions as you and somehow they all get there in the end, you'll be fine

@naemates I'm in Glasgow too - whoops!! Better get the letter back out and sort that just now! Maybe I would have found it more informative if I'd actually read it properly

That's crazy! Well at least I know my info is pertinent, even if you get arrested for evading jury duty by accident instead

Thought I'd update to let you know I was picked from the ballot today and start tomorrow morning! @naemates After reading your reply I rushed to send in my details and the next day I got a letter politely reminding me to reply to the citation

@RedLipClass I've just spotted this, how did you get on?