Ds1 has a letter from the "Jury Central Summoning Board"

[RecentYears]

Is that it, he's been called or is there another reason they might write?

He's at work and will be for hours so I have to wait to find out

He's a not at all mature just turned 20yo. Frankly the idea that he could be responsible for a criminal conviction (or not) is something of a worry.

I'm mid 50s and have never been called.

If you google that phrase it does suggest that.
I can't remember what the letter said when I was selected for jury duty to be honest.

I was summonsed earlier this year but I can't recall what was on the envelope. I'm 57 and it was my first call. As it was I was dismissed before I even started because they'd summonsed too many people. Some people go their whole life and never get the call. Twenty is quite young, but within their range, so I hope your DS is up to it.

I got called at the age of 22 my Mum rang me up when I was at work to tell me the letter "had just fallen open" in her hands 🤣 I think it's common with Jury summons to be delivered in flimsy envelopes that fall open in the hands of concerned Mums 😜

It's not just your son responsible for a criminal conviction, there's 12 members of a jury, and these days the presiding Trial Judge gives a route to verdict, clearly telling the jury what to consider and how. As long as he listens to the evidence he can't go wrong.

@PieonaBarm

I got called at the age of 22 my Mum rang me up when I was at work to tell me the letter "had just fallen open" in her hands 🤣 I think it's common with Jury summons to be delivered in flimsy envelopes that fall open in the hands of concerned Mums 😜

It's not just your son responsible for a criminal conviction, there's 12 members of a jury, and these days the presiding Trial Judge gives a route to verdict, clearly telling the jury what to consider and how. As long as he listens to the evidence he can't go wrong.

Oh that's funny. I was raised in a household where "the post" was sacred. No one would have dreamed of opening someone else's letter, it's illegal don't you know? My parents still sit down to open it together, even though it's only junk mail these days.

I was 18 and was called to the Old Bailey and ended up on a murder trial. Looking back I was very immature for the seriousness of the trial but I did find the whole process fascinating

Yes. It's jury service. I've been called for early next year, so just checked my letter.

I was called when I was 18. Really found it an interesting experience. Late 40's now. It was a 6 week money laundering case.

@kazzer2867

Yes. It's jury service. I've been called for early next year, so just checked my letter.

So they give you plenty of notice then?

Do people have to take unpaid leave when called? And then presumably claim a bit of expenses?

@Namechange58

I was called when I was 18. Really found it an interesting experience. Late 40's now. It was a 6 week money laundering case.

I'm not sure he'd have a job to go back to if he was out for 6 weeks

One of the points of the jury system is that the justice process gets input from a wide range of the population. So for example, someone might think or do something and well-off, middle-aged people might think, "How/WHY would you do anything that stupid?!" but your DS might think, well my mate's 17-year old little brother would absolutely do that, he's not all that bright, has no experience of the wider world and is impulsive and naïve and be able to provide a different perspective.

I'm not the biggest fan of the jury system but having society-in-general having some part in the court system is important, if we want it to keep the confidence of the general public..

@ChoccyJules

Do people have to take unpaid leave when called? And then presumably claim a bit of expenses?

Your work should give you unpaid leave at the least, the court then pays you a maximum weekly rate. Financial hardship is one of the possible reasons for deferring- you can say you have no leave left for example and they'll call you the following year, giving you time to plan.

Hi OP. I deferred when I received my first summons. They initially gave me two months notice. When I applied to defer, they gave me the option of three dates and they set my date for a year from the initial letter.

I was called aged 20.
I deffered it.
I was then recalled at the age of 30 and did it.

Just a couple of points:
It is possible to defer, but usually you need to have a good reason. I have been called up twice. First time I did it, second time I deferred as it was less than 2 years after having been called up, I was 7 months pregnant and mid-exams. I had to do it a year later.
Employers are required to accommodate jury service. Whether they pay or not may depend on the employer. The court will cover some expenses, but as it's been 10 years since I last was on a jury, the spec. may have changed.
One person cannot 'call the shots' on what happens with regard to conviction. The judge may or may not advise on whether they want a majority decision or unilateral decision. If you as a juror don't agree with the others, then you are not obligated to change your opinion. You can just revert and say that you cannot all agree. I have been on a jury where someone wanted to just close the case as it was a Friday afternoon, but I (and one other juror) didn't feel we had enough information to make a decision. We refused to back down on this and in the end the judge opted for a majority verdict, which was in favour of the accused.

As an aside, it isn't illegal to open someone's post. It is illegal if you use the contents of the opened post 'to act to a person’s detriment'.

No one can sack you for being on jury duty.

I went when there was 19. No idea What was going on. Found it too intense, so just went along with the rest of the jury. I think under 30 is too young tbh.

@MrsDThomas

No one can sack you for being on jury duty.

I went when there was 19. No idea What was going on. Found it too intense, so just went along with the rest of the jury. I think under 30 is too young tbh.

I agree, under 30 is wayyyyy too young. Personally I don't think under 21s should be able to drink or get credit but I expect I'm in a minority on those

I was 18 when I got called up. Dont underestimate your son, he will be more than capable (unless there are disabilities you have not talked about), there is ually a good mix of ages and characters. And it's not as if you make any decisions alone.

He won't loose his job, employees have to allow you the time off, and he will be able to claim for lost wages and expenses

I had a very different experience when i was called up at 18 now 36) I didn't find it intense, I was able to hold my own opinions well and found it an interesting experience.

You could easily find that a 40 year old may feel overwhelmed and unable to get thier own views and opinions across.

I thinking saying that any under 30 year old are incapable or immature is a very genralising remark.

He's a not at all mature just turned 20yo. Frankly the idea that he could be responsible for a criminal conviction (or not) is something of a worry

The decision is a collective one. He alone is not solely responsible. Its poor that you think a 20yo cant bring something to the table.

I was on a jury when I was 22. It was an historic case of paedophilia. It was harrowing and interesting and sad. And an experience I will never forget and has positively impacted my life.

I’m at the criminal bar so am with juries every day. Many tales and of course they sometimes fall asleep, I remember a huge fart in the old Bailey, odd jury questions wtc BUT honestly I am properly humbled by the attention and care I see day in day out. All ages all kinds of people. No longer ‘one look at the jury and you get a feel for what will happen’. Not at all. Have done cases months long - one 6 months. They were all excused service for the rest of their lives. I think a couple looked regretful at that.

@WeatherwaxOn

Just a couple of points: It is possible to defer, but usually you need to have a good reason. I have been called up twice. First time I did it, second time I deferred as it was less than 2 years after having been called up, I was 7 months pregnant and mid-exams. I had to do it a year later. Employers are required to accommodate jury service. Whether they pay or not may depend on the employer. The court will cover some expenses, but as it's been 10 years since I last was on a jury, the spec. may have changed. One person cannot 'call the shots' on what happens with regard to conviction. The judge may or may not advise on whether they want a majority decision or unilateral decision. If you as a juror don't agree with the others, then you are not obligated to change your opinion. You can just revert and say that you cannot all agree. I have been on a jury where someone wanted to just close the case as it was a Friday afternoon, but I (and one other juror) didn't feel we had enough information to make a decision. We refused to back down on this and in the end the judge opted for a majority verdict, which was in favour of the accused.

As an aside, it isn't illegal to open someone's post. It is illegal if you use the contents of the opened post 'to act to a person’s detriment'.

Or if you open it 'without reasonable excuse'.

My son’s friend has just done jury service, aged 18.

How is under 30 too young?!?!?!

At 29, I had 2 degrees, had owned my own house for 5 years, had 2 children and had just got divorced. I worked full time in local government. I was probably more on the ball then than I am now!

My parents still sit down to open it together

That’s so lovely!

Yes it’s jury service.
I’ve just had mine it was for less than 2 months time. But my employer refused it as I can’t have time off at the minute so I’m doing it next year instead.

I didn’t think about 18 year olds being there!
I had a child at that age and would have probably loved it but I’d be worried that some are very young 18s and they would be exposed to things that might really affect them.