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Original poster

To ask about your experience whilst doing jury service

43 replies

Jessi1972 · 16/07/2020 11:57

Hi,
Posted here for traffic.
I've been summoned for jury service and I was just wondering how others found it?
Have you been called and served during the pandemic?
What precautions did you take?
Should I be worried?
Thank you for taking the time to read and reply

OP posts:
Whattodo121 · 16/07/2020 18:35

I did it last year. Had a few days sitting around doing nothing, got sent home early etc finally got called into a case on the Friday of the first week which went to about Tuesday/Wednesday of the second week. After that we were sent home and told we weren’t needed again. I went into work on the days I wasn’t called or when I left early. I loved it though as I was commuting a long way to a very busy job at that time and had to get up very early. For jury service I didn’t have to get there till 10am and it was only 20 minutes away Grin take plenty of snacks and drinks and books to read. It is boring.

StripeyDeckchair · 16/07/2020 18:37

The most boring thing ever - lots of sitting around on uncomfortable chairs in an overshot room, no wi fi, never called to a case.

I cant believe how badly organised it is, with today's technology it could be run far more effectively and at a lower cost.

Namealreadyinuse1 · 16/07/2020 18:38

I was called in my early 20s. Very traumatic trial which lasted 6 weeks (never started my book!) and due to threats after the verdict the jury had to be escorted home by undercover officers (6 defendants). Court staff were brilliant and supportive so I hope that’s still the same. We were given a 10 year exemption from being called again which ran out......about 10 years ago Hmm

Shieldingending · 16/07/2020 18:43

I did this just over a year ago, I was on a murder trial which was very full on. For me there was no hanging about because I was picked for this trial on the first day and we were always in court, however there were people who just hung around for a fortnight so I will definitely take a good book! Sometimes they let jurors go quite early in the day if they knew there were no more trial starting, but sometimes they would have to hang around most of the day. I’m now except for 10 years because of the nature of the trial, but I would happily do it again if I could

CoRhona · 16/07/2020 18:44

I really enjoyed mine. Got the allowance each day as well as being paid from work; sat reading for the first day (a real treat), then called for two cases, both v interesting. Often finished early during the day and I definitely did not go back to work to make up the time!

Was a fascinating time and I would love to be called again.

lyralalala · 16/07/2020 18:49

I hope things have improved since I did it. I sat on the jury in a long trial for a horrific crime. I saw images and heard testimony that was just awful. Then at the end of the case it was "Thanks, bye"

Actually, that's a bit harsh, the judge said he wished he could exempt us from ever doing jury duty again, but couldn't. The most he could do was 10 years.

There was no counselling, not even a follow up "are you ok?". Just a firm reminder that we weren't allowed to talk about the details with anyone.

Howlat · 16/07/2020 19:03

OP there was an article recently about a woman who had a panic attack in court on day 2 of a trial - I think some kind of abuse - and the trial had y on be halted and she had to be replaced, so trial restarted. There was some comment that she'd not filled in a form properly. So basically I think there is some way you can let them know.

I'll see if I can find it.

Wildlingyoumakemyheartsing · 16/07/2020 19:12

I got called last year. I managed to plead financial issues (the sale of my house was waiting to go through so we had absolutely nothing to live on) so I got let off the first week as I couldn't afford the bus fare. The second week I didn't get called until the final day and then one of the jurors recognised the defendant so they threw out the jury and started again. Frustrating.

It depends where it is as to how much sitting around you do. Our city requires physical presence. Another nearby tells jurors by the end of the monday whether to come back and then emails you in you get called.

Also ours had wifi so I caught up on Netflix with headphones. Very expensive food usually so take your own. You can claim the full allowance for making your food at home so that's worth it.

Also if you do get called you are told the outline of the case. Then the court clerk asks whether anyone has conflicts of interest. You do based on abuse so you would speak to them and get dismissed for that case.

I was really disappointed not to be called.

TooCloseToTheProject · 16/07/2020 19:19

@noraclavicle

I think I got a form within the paperwork that my manager signed so that I could be excused, but that was in 2013. Worth looking into if you're busy at work.

Original poster
Jessi1972 · 16/07/2020 19:45

Thank you to all of you that have replied - I really appreciate it💖💖
I've raided the charity shops for new books - I can read two books in a day (I can speed read) and I've started stocking up on polos, boiled sweets, and other bits to take with me.
My DD and sil will be loading my kindles with movies Grin
Will definitely get a selection of coffees to take with me 😁

What happens if I get sequestered? Will I be allowed home to get an overnight bag and medication?

OP posts:
DdraigGoch · 16/07/2020 19:48

Arrived on the Monday of the first week. Sat around for ages (this happens a lot, sometimes a defendant changes their plea to guilty at the last minute so no jury needed, other times the victim may back out etc.). Eventually another case was transferred from another court. I wasn't picked. Told that it was expected to last a week so to come back next Monday. On my return I did get picked, this case also lasted a week. Some people got picked for both cases.

Absolutely bring a good book. War and Peace should see you through most of the waiting around.

DdraigGoch · 16/07/2020 19:50

Oh, try to avoid wearing clothes/shoes with metal parts and leave your loose change at home. Saves a lot of faffing around when you go through the metal detectors.

mouse70 · 16/07/2020 20:03

When I did Jury Service, (5 years ago)once picked, we were asked to write a note to the judge explaining why we wanted to be exused. He read these and said YES if he thought they were valid exuses or NO if he felt not valid,so nothing read out in open court. I found it fascinating but echo comment that a lot of time sitting around. The case lasted 2 weeks but in another court case was estimated to go on for 6-8 weeks.

mouse70 · 16/07/2020 20:09

Someone else has mentioned no follow up/support which I think is very wrong when case is distressing as you are not allowed to talk about specifics of case with anyone I did write to court about this but never got a reply!!!

wineandroses1 · 16/07/2020 20:26

CloudPop me too! Couldn't believe it. First trial was interesting. Asked to be excused from the second and and third trials as felt I had done my civic duty and was told no, I had to serve. Wrote to the judge and said I knew loads of people who would love to serve. I was told I had no option. Hope I don’t have to do it again, ever.

noraclavicle · 16/07/2020 21:46

@TooCloseToTheProject many thanks for the advice. I know jury-service is a civic duty but it’s a publicly-funded project I’m on so I’m not keen to be dragged off it and leave colleagues struggling even more to catch up...

MarkRuffaloCrumble · 16/07/2020 23:27

I’ve just had an email to say I’ve been excused so presumably they’re not going ahead with some trials at the moment. Slightly disappointed as it would have been an interesting experience but at least now maybe I can book a holiday instead!

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