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Original poster

Do you know anyone who has done jury duty?

173 replies

Soubriquet · 16/12/2021 17:35

America seems to portray that most people have had at least one summons to do jury duty.

I haven’t known anyone to do it. Is it as common as it appears to be?

OP posts:
lillylemons · 16/12/2021 18:12

My husband has done jury service 3 times.
I've been summonsed twice but both times I've been deffered due to just giving birth

DismantledKing · 16/12/2021 18:17

I recently was on the jury for a 5 week trial

GoGoGretaDoll · 16/12/2021 18:19

I did it years ago for a fortnight when they had a proper jurors' dining room. Food was amazing. Three course lunch. That's the main thing I remember about it!

I've been called for the Sheriff court three times in quick succession, got the first two deferred though, turned up for the third one and didn't make the cut. I was called for the High Court around 6 years ago and thankfully didn't make the draw either, that looked like it was going to be a difficult case.

I've been called more times than anyone I know though!

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Legal issues
stingofthebutterfly · 16/12/2021 18:19

I know one person who's done it twice. Neither myself nor my husband have been summoned yet.

Hoppinggreen · 16/12/2021 18:20

@Soubriquet

Very interesting. Do most people only do it once?

Can you opt out if you know it’s going to be a very disturbing case such as the recent Star and Arthur?

No My friend got a similar case. She walked back to her car one day after hearing some awful evidence and The Accused was getting into the car next to her. She was absolutely distraught and had to ask her DH to come and get her as she couldn’t drive I was summoned once but didn’t do it
HelenaJustina · 16/12/2021 18:20

I’ve done it, my sister has done it twice, another sibling has recently deferred as they have a very small breastfed baby but will have to do it next year. My mum has done it. Husband has never been called.

St0rmTr00per · 16/12/2021 18:23

My DM & DF have done it. DFs was a violent murder case (no idea what as he never spoke about it and then later used to say he couldnt remember, which I doubt) and they were told they were excused for life.

DM went for it and was there about 4 days, sitting in the canteen room daily, then got through to the "choosing" stage but she was dismissed without being needed. She is an extremely hostile conspiracy theorist so I like to think she told them her views on life and is now on a banned for life list, but I will never know.

hivemindneeded · 16/12/2021 18:23

My friend got a similar case. She walked back to her car one day after hearing some awful evidence and The Accused was getting into the car next to her.
She was absolutely distraught and had to ask her DH to come and get her as she couldn’t drive

I wouldn't have believed that possible before I did jury service. I was in line for security one day and standing right in front of me was one of the accused. In connection with a murder charge. I was very shocked and a little bit scared.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 16/12/2021 18:23

I’m not sure how I would be able to do it. It’s a horrible situation to be in

OP posts:
BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 16/12/2021 18:24

I was summoned but was excused as I was 33 weeks pregnant with dc3 & dc2 had a lot of medical issues & appts.

My Dad was summoned but excused as he was about to undergo cancer treatment including having a stem cell transplant.

My ndn sat on a murder trial that lasted quite a while, just as he turned 21.

DismantledKing · 16/12/2021 18:26

@Soubriquet

I’m not sure how I would be able to do it. It’s a horrible situation to be in
It’s actually a very interesting experience. I’ve been excused for jury duty for life now due to the nature of the case that I was on.
ChardonnaysPetDragon · 16/12/2021 18:26

Most people I know have been in jury duty, DH has been summoned twice.

I have not.

DowntonCrabby · 16/12/2021 18:26

Everyone I know, family, friends, colleagues have all been summoned and mostly done it. I’ve been lucky to defer it a few times but have been called every 18 months or so.

freelions · 16/12/2021 18:28

I know a few who have been called but not many considering

Neither DH or I have ever been called (40s/50s) and don't think either of my parents have either (70s)

givemepiece · 16/12/2021 18:29

I've done it twice

First was in the 2000s and involved theft of Beatles memorabilia, I had the pleasure of handling their passports as evidence!

Second was a couple of years ago and was an historical rape case. Sadly we couldn't agree to convict the men (plural) because of a perceived lack of evidence but I was thrilled to read in the paper a year later they had been retrialled and found guilty!

Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin · 16/12/2021 18:53

Been summoned twice in 10 years...couldn't do it first time as baby was due - gutted! But got called up 2 years ago and LOVED it!

Lulu1919 · 16/12/2021 18:58

I've done it twice !!!
I'm in England
Was a two year ish gap I think

Hiybbiiytc · 16/12/2021 19:02

I got the letter asking me to serve at the end of 2019 or beginning of 2020 can't remember which. But I contacted them and got excused as I have asd and didn't think I could do it.

FrogFairy · 16/12/2021 19:07

I did 3 weeks of jury service over 30 years ago.

I got called again in 2001 but I was pregnant and it would be toward the end of my pregnancy so had midwife appointments etc. so they excused me.

Hen2018 · 16/12/2021 19:10

I know 5 people who have done jury service. The youngest was 18.

saveforthat · 16/12/2021 19:10

I did it about 15 years ago. I started off really enjoying it the whole court process is fascinating but then was assigned to a really upsetting violent torture kidnap and rape case which stayed with me for a long time afterwards

CatDogAlpaca · 16/12/2021 19:11

I did it a couple of years ago. Didn't like it

WorraLiberty · 16/12/2021 19:12

My husband got a bloody 13 week case a few years back.

They continually fucked up his money, to the point where we almost fell behind with the mortgage.

They also fucked up his money the day before Xmas Eve! I remember my heart sinking when we went to the cash point and there was nothing.

ToughTittyWhompus · 16/12/2021 19:13

My Grandmother did, when I was a toddler. Child abuse case. She was very mentally unwell for a long time after Sad

Don’t know of anyone else.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 16/12/2021 19:13

I’ve done it twice.

The most recent time about half of our jury were second timers and one person (in their 60’s) was on their 4th time.

They told us that it’s a random selection from the electoral roll. Once you’ve done it you’re off the hook for 2 years.