Do you know anyone who has done jury duty?

[Soubriquet]

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?

DH was called, but never sat in court, there was a longer case (they do warn you) and 12 volunteered so DH didn't have to do it.

My Mum was called last year, then covid hit, so it has to be put on hold, she was then excused as she was turning 76 a few months after so wouldn't have got it done in time.

Yes I did it once then got called again years later

I've never been summoned, but some members of my family have been summoned multiple times.

There appears to be no rhyme or reason to how it works.

My friend has but she’s the only one I know. She never actually made it, she just sat around waiting for two weeks! I’d love to do it, never been called though.

I was called a couple of years back. Mine was only a short fraud case but we were in crown court the same time as the trial for the murderers of Paul Massey so had to run the gauntlet of press and the armed police prisoner escort every morning. Not something I want to repeat.

I've been called up twice much to the disgust of dh who would love to do it.
I remember my mum doing it many years ago. I don't know of anyone else though.

I have. Actual murder trial at the actual Old Bailey; I was out of the office for months.

It was surprisingly boring.

I know loads of people but am in London so might impact it

I had it for the two weeks before Christmas one year which was great cos all short cases and got sent home loads of days. One case where they guy was plainly guilty but the jury were fairly gullible (he was arraigned immediately for his next trial when he was release from ours 🤨)

Second one I think we honestly saved a young guy from a really vindicate and pointless prosecution and hope he did well for himself after. I think he expected to be found guilty and I am so glad he wasn’t.

CPP were woefully understaffed and under-prepared and that was 12 years ago. A miserable job to prosecute or defend (am a lawyer but in the corporate world) - horrifically resourced and terribly paid.

Yes me!

I've done it, and 2 of my friends have done it twice :)

I have done two lots of jury service
Case one, was a garage operation, stealing cars to order, and some cut and shuts.
Case two
Son accusing own Dad, of abuse and sexual abuse.
Both quite a few ago now.
Interesting when get on a case, but a lot of sitting around when you dont.

Numerous colleagues and my Mum, who was called up years ago. She had an upsetting child abuse case. She still gets sad about it.

Nobody in my family have ever been called for it and no friends have ever mentioned it .

Ooh! And my husband. A rape case. Two decades or more ago.

I've just finished jury duty yesterday. I sat in the waiting area for over a week, twice got allocated to cases which ended up not going to trial. I never got called to be sworn in and was eventually dismissed. It was fascinating to see inside the system though and it was people watching heaven.

I got summoned twice in my twenties. Couldn't believe it! Sat one when I was 23 and the next one when I was 26 I think. I found it quite interesting the first time round and upsetting the second.

In England, not in the 20 years I was of age, neither has DH. Since we moved to Scotland 18 months ago, we've both been summoned!

My dad did it and then about ten years later was summoned again, but he asked for exemption the second time.

Done it twice. Fucking boring but at least it was boring stuff not the likes of Baby P or the little Girl Skye something. You always get one know all normal on the jury but I took no notice of him.

I've been called but my the Trust I worked for asked for me to be excused because of them not being able to cover my workload. Fair enough as we had horrendous staffing shortages at the time, but I was a bit disappointed to be honest.

I have been called twice.

Only once did I sit on a case.

The rest of the time was spent in the jury room waiting (I was told to take snacks and books/mags to read.)

Quite a few of the cases collapsed as the accused decided to change their plea to 'guilty'.
I only got expenses (bus fares etc)
It's really boring and expensive if you are self-employed as you lose business.

I did it 30 years ago. Loved it. But a lot of hanging around, being sent out of the court, more hanging around when things were being discussed they didn’t want us to hear and then they changed their plea.
Would love to do it again.

I was called earlier this year but was excused as my husband isn't well. It was all documented and could be checked.

Yes I’ve done it. Loved it, lots of waiting around.
Really enjoyed it. But wasn’t on anything gruesome.

I've done it once but it was 20+ years ago, lots of sitting around then put on a case that lasted about three days. I was fortunate and my company covered my salary but many don't and, from memory, the max daily rate that the court paid was a pittance. It can cause real financial problems, especially if you get caught in a long case.