Jury

[AutumnalRose]

Hello. I've had my summons to do jury duty in the next few months - I'm so excited!
As any of you done it, and how did you find it?

That is exactly what happened to most people I know who have been called up. They changed all their plans for the upcoming weeks, and then got sent home before the first week was over.

Wow, did they think it was appropriate for someone like that to be working with disabled children? I wonder if they would want him working with their own children.

Nothing wrong with wanting to sit in on a court session. I personally think it's good for people to do so. It gives a better understanding of how the system works, how cases are run, why decisions are made and how a judge determines a sentence. The cases are interesting and often emotive.

I was very excited the first time.
Case involved reading lots of What's App messages - they are not a private as you believe people.
Mostly it is a lot of hanging about and is deeply dull.
When you get to the jury room I found that people wanted to get to a verdict quickly so they could go home - you'll think were we all in the same courtroom?
Have less faith in the legal system than I did before I did the service.
I would be very scared to be in the dock.

I spent 3 days hanging around, then got on a GBH case. They tell you over and over that the jury have to make a decision according to the evidence, and whilst we all agreed that we thought the defendant was guilty, the evidence wasn't there.

The defendant admitted hitting the victim, but not the level of assault that the victim claimed. So it was not guilty.

I'm self employed, and had turned down 2 weeks' worth of work, and then got released at the end of the first week. It was too late to pick up work for the second week, so I had no income. That was pretty annoying.

I've done it and the one thing I learnt was that I never want to be on trial for anything! The evidence, the truth, justice - these are just words. The verdict is often decided by how long the trial is lasting, who wants to get home early and which juror is best at persuading others to bend to their will. A jury is made up of 12 members but the vote can be decided by 1 strong character and 11 weak sheep.

I'd be quite keen to do it. Just be aware you could and probably will be on something quite disturbing so be mentally prepared for that.

I've been called four times and never done it. The first three I had to defer due to either exams or pre booked holiday . The last I was excited I'd finally get to do it (my employer was not happy) but a week before I got a letter saying I wasn't needed.

I've sat in loads of cases, I used to visit the Royal Courts of Justice for fun. And I deal with some legal stuff (not criminal) at work. I'm keen to do it but completely understand what it is. I know the most interesting bits happen when the jury isn't there (interesting to me is the complex points of law).

I'm resilient about hearing about crimes etc, though a bit squeamish about seeing photos that involve blood (dead bodies I can cope with, having seen some up close in real life).

Oh yeah I'm aware, but thanks

That's scary isn't it! I do think there should be stricter criteria for those picked as jurors.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, the differing replies remind me of such

Such as? It's trial by 12 of your peers. It's supposed to be a randomised mixture of ages, experiences and education levels. Out of 12 people it's highly unlikely one person will hold so much sway.

@OffMyDahlias the point of not telling a jury about past convictions is so as not to prejudice the trial. People can and do change.

i did it 10 years ago and really don't want to do it again. The first case was a very petty 'he said/she said' about a mobile phone which in my opinion should never have reached court stage - I realised that I was 'that' juror who really didn't give a damn and went with the majority (led by a man with what could be described as a 'strong' personality). The next trial I was called for was expected to last well over two weeks so I asked to be excused as I was towards the end of my second week and wanted to join my family on holiday!

Because it's an important decision and if some folk are just nonchalantly making a decision because they want to hurry up home, that's not good!

My experience was different from that. If a jury were to think one of their number was not engaged they can let the judge know.

I actually have jury service starting this week.

Is it ok to wear jeans and a shirt? Also can you take a packed lunch with you to court?

Is there a break room for the jury where can eat lunch?

I know you can claim something like £5.70 per day for meals, but the place I’m going to is surrounded by expensive cafes and that money won’t go far there.. I’d rather take my own.

No idea about the jeans. I believe you can take a packed lunch. Did you not get a jury pack? Mines due to arrive.

Pretty sure jeans are fine, but you can ask the people who look after juries - their number will be on the paperwork you've received. They'll be there earlier than you need to be.

If you are called, they will provide lunch. In DH’s case, a couple of weeks ago, they ordered food/ salad as they went in, and it was served in the jury room when they broke for lunch. It would have been possible to take in your own lunch I think.

Also, jeans were fine. People on juries are a cross section - they don’t all wear suits.

There wasn’t any lunch for us. It may vary by court. People took packed lunches and there was a £5.71 daily allowance. Lots of people wearing v casual clothes too.

I got called about fourteen years ago. I woke up in the middle of the night and realised that someone I knew was a barrister at the court. I rang the helpline and they said that if he was on a case I was on that I had to ask to be removed.
Also I did my first case with a driving instructor who had parked in the court car park. We found a guy guilty and the court was adjourned for sentencing at a later date. The DI walked out to her car emblazoned with her number and the guy we had found guilty was in the car park. Luckily she hadn't got near her car and was able to walk away until he had gone.
I was called recently but for.various reasons I was excused.

Blimey what’s the chances of being called twice then ? No one in my immediate family ever has done it all. Does it depend on where you live in the UK?

I think it depends on your house number - called three times when I lived at Number 2.

Ds(20) was cited and it was his week last week. He phoned each night was told not needed and discharged on Thursday night. I was glad he didn't need to sit for anything harrowing.

I am in my 50s and never been called, no idea how I'd cope if I was as I noticed reading ds's notes there are no drinks or food allowed in court. I have reflux so I have water with me constantly to fend off any coughing fits, without it once the coughing starts I can't stop until I get a drink!

Not sure if it's been asked already but what happens if the case is really long and you are a SAHP with dc. Too long for your partner to take time off work or for friends and family to look after your dc.

In particular what if it is one of those long cases where the jury is isolated so they are not exposed to media stories about the case and can't go home