To think that if people are forced to do Jury service...

[Pseudonym99]

...against their will, then you cannot expect them to take it seriously, abide by the rules and they shouldn't be held responsible when they break those rules? And how can it be in the interests of justice to have jurors there who do not take it seriously or do not want to be there?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23495785

Yabu!

Yabu. For me, these idiots should be serving a year or more behind bars. The utter contempt and arrogence they show is beyond belief.

YABU. Imagine you only had people who wanted to do it, and would do it repeatedly. Wouldn't you be worried about their motives?

Perhaps people should be allowed to claim some sort of 'conscientcous objection' to Jury Service? If people are unable to be impartial, or object to it, how can it be in the public interest to have those people in a jury?

YABU, it's the responsibility of every citizen. They should throw the book at these idiots.

OP, I am sure if that if you unable to be impartial due to a genuine conflict of interests, then I'm sure you will be put on a different case.

YANVU. They should have gotten a year each for contempt. Idiots.

You don't think the jurors can be expected to take it seriously and can't be held responsible? Wtaf?

I also think a substantial term behind bars is appropriate.

I managed it at 18 because I am not a prize prat.

we are all citizens in a democracy and in my opinion they should be jailed for contempt of court.

you are being very daft op.

On what grounds could you consciencously object to juries? Because you're committed to Ducking stools or coin tossing?

exactly. Always easy to complain about a system - IF you are lucky enough to live in a country that allows complaint.

juries aren't perfect but they are a lot better than the alternatives.

Yabu, unless you're against the idea of a fair trial?

The judge was remarkably lenient on the pair of clowns.

OP YABU. The possibility of being called up for jury service is a price you pay for living in a democracy with a (relatively) transparent judicial system. It is a civic duty and should be taken as seriously as that implies.

OP if you were put on trial for a serious offence, would you rather be tried in public and the verdict decided upon by a jury of your peers or tried by some government 'officials' who have a vested interest in seeing you convicted, (a la Guantanamo Bay)?

Thought so.

YABU. Jury trial is one of our most important freedoms. It is an honour to serve.

YABU. Juries in this country are selected randomly to represent a cross-section of society, idiots and all.

If you want a jury to represent people in this country then you're going to sometimes have utter dick heads in the jury.

x post with Sinky

Please explain "conscientious objection" to jury service.

There should be an exemption box to tick that says "I'm too stupid for jury service"

Yabu.

Obviously.

the object of a trial by jury is that you are tried by your peers. Frankly an 18yo nor a 70yo are my peers. So its all a bit pointless.

However I do agree that there should be professional jurors. There are some idiots out there - and very shades of Tony Hancock, my mate was on jury service at Belmarsh - they convicted one on the grounds that his post code was dodgy and acquitted another because it Friday and they wanted to go home.

YABU.

YABVU

Also, by your logic, people should be free to disregard any rules (or laws) because they disagree with them, without consequence! I hope you can see the flaw with this. If you disagree with a rule, law or system then campaign for change. It doesn't give anyone the licence to just ignore it and think that means they don't get a consequence.

YABU

Professional jurors?!!!! Dear God, abandon democracy now.