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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Jury Duty

222 replies

Chickenkeev · 18/10/2023 08:48

Has anyone ever done it? I've never been called (thank fk!) but i'm curious as to what it's like. In one way it could be really interesting, and in another way it could be really traumatising. And, in the traumatising cases, is there any aftercare?

OP posts:
KimberleyClark · 18/10/2023 08:51

I’m 62 and never been called. I would like the opportunity.

JMSA · 18/10/2023 08:54

I would love to do it. I was called up twice a couple of years ago, but my Headteacher kindly 🙄 provided a template email to get me out of it 😭
I wish I'd been more assertive.

Original poster
Chickenkeev · 18/10/2023 08:54

KimberleyClark · 18/10/2023 08:51

I’m 62 and never been called. I would like the opportunity.

I'd be scared to be called! I don't trust my judgement all that much and when it's someone else's destiny in my hands it's a hige responsibility!

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Nuca · 18/10/2023 08:56

I did it about 9 years ago, I was only 20 and it was awful as it was a really distressing case. Wouldn't ever want to do it again

Original poster
Chickenkeev · 18/10/2023 08:57

Nuca · 18/10/2023 08:56

I did it about 9 years ago, I was only 20 and it was awful as it was a really distressing case. Wouldn't ever want to do it again

Sorry to hear that 😪that's exactly what i'd be afraid of tbh. 20 is so young for it too.

OP posts:
SquigglePigs · 18/10/2023 08:59

My DH has just been called. Starts in a few weeks. From a family perspective the timing is awful but on a more general level we're both interested. Hope he doesn't get a traumatic case though.

B12B12 · 18/10/2023 09:00

I was selected but it was cancelled - the Old Bailey. My manager said he’d never known anyone to actually go, it was always cancelled. I’m 60 and have never done jury duty.

B12B12 · 18/10/2023 09:00

I was selected but it was cancelled - the Old Bailey. My manager said he’d never known anyone to actually go, it was always cancelled. I’m 60 and have never done jury duty.

olderbutwiser · 18/10/2023 09:03

I did a longish case - 6 weeks, fraud. It was a bit gruelling, before selection they told us that there would be a lot of data and information and if we weren’t comfortable with that we could withdraw. They also excused several parents of young children given it was a long case and they needed us all there every day.

I really enjoyed it. The most surprising thing about it was how inept some of the defendants were and how detectable the crime was.

Original poster
Chickenkeev · 18/10/2023 09:04

For those who have done it, how does it work (in general)? Is it like in films? Is the lunch decent (all the important questions!)

OP posts:
Megifer · 18/10/2023 09:04

I've done it twice. First one was pretty boring but the second one was absolutely harrowing and went on for about 6 weeks. I appreciate people who haven't done jury service might find it interesting etc but I have to say that's absolutely not the word I'd use 😔

I'll never ever do it again and I still can't get some of the evidence out of my head 15 years later.

Hoardasurass · 18/10/2023 09:05

Yep just finished my 2nd trial as a juror.
1st was a common assault
2nd was domestic violence and rape. It was a hard case to listen to, but we were given the chance to not serve if we felt it would trigger past trauma, 2 took this offer up and the substitute jurors took there place.
I should say that I'm in Scotland so the rules may be different from the rest of the UK

Ragwort · 18/10/2023 09:05

I was called but it was also cancelled... I was disappointed as I think it would be an interesting thing to do, I has reorganised my work rota (quite complicated) so it was a shame when I had to go back into work Grin.

Original poster
Chickenkeev · 18/10/2023 09:07

olderbutwiser · 18/10/2023 09:03

I did a longish case - 6 weeks, fraud. It was a bit gruelling, before selection they told us that there would be a lot of data and information and if we weren’t comfortable with that we could withdraw. They also excused several parents of young children given it was a long case and they needed us all there every day.

I really enjoyed it. The most surprising thing about it was how inept some of the defendants were and how detectable the crime was.

Was there any explanation for detailed information presnted that wouldn't neccessarily by understood by your average Joe? Or do you just get presented with it and that's it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Chickenkeev · 18/10/2023 09:08

Megifer · 18/10/2023 09:04

I've done it twice. First one was pretty boring but the second one was absolutely harrowing and went on for about 6 weeks. I appreciate people who haven't done jury service might find it interesting etc but I have to say that's absolutely not the word I'd use 😔

I'll never ever do it again and I still can't get some of the evidence out of my head 15 years later.

😪

OP posts:
fiftiesmum · 18/10/2023 09:09

I went a few years back - cases were quite bland but was an eye opener about human behaviour in fellow jurors, the legal people, defendants and witnesses.
The 20 year old mentioned in a PP will be one person with 11 others of varying ages, backgrounds, cultures etc.

Wonkasworld · 18/10/2023 09:09

I was called in 2010 at a Magistrates' Court. I spent two weeks not being sworn into a jury. It was boring but met lots of new people. I was paid equivalent of my day shifts and got lunch vouchers.

dementedpixie · 18/10/2023 09:10

In my experience there is a lot of hanging around being bored and no guarantee you'll actually serve on a jury (I didn't get picked). Then if you do get picked the case might get thrown out or a witness won't turn up and things get postponed, etc. It's a big waste of time in a lot of cases.

0palFruits · 18/10/2023 09:11

So you get paid?

0palFruits · 18/10/2023 09:12

My daily job is pretty harrowing so it would be nice to have a break for some other harrowing stuff that I'm not responsible for!

Original poster
Chickenkeev · 18/10/2023 09:12

So they call up loads of people for one trial and lots won't 'make it'? I never really thouggt about it before tbh.

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CumbersomeRobes · 18/10/2023 09:12

I've done it twice. The first was in the Crown Court and would have been distressing if it hadn't all been fabricated (which was v v clear early on). It made me realise how much time and money can be wasted in the system but equally how thorough the police have to be.

Second time was in the Coroner's Court and was extremely sad but interesting.

dementedpixie · 18/10/2023 09:13

0palFruits · 18/10/2023 09:11

So you get paid?

You get paid a nominal amount
It is often less than your employer would pay

Original poster
Chickenkeev · 18/10/2023 09:13

0palFruits · 18/10/2023 09:11

So you get paid?

Afaik you can't be financially disadvantaged by it?

OP posts:
Colinorpercy · 18/10/2023 09:13

I’ve never been in a jury but have given evidence. It was nerve wracking, especially being cross examined and trying to second guess in your head where the defence were going with it.