Jury Duty

[Chickenkeev]

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?

I'm sure my last one was a matter of weeks - I received it in August, had 2 weeks (IIRC) from the date of the letter to confirm I'd be there or apply for excusal, then it was quite soon after that I'd be expected at the court, a few weeks at most.

I've been called twice in the last 2.5 years! Both times I was selected for a Jury, out of a pool of about 40 people. The others all who were not selected were sent home again (so it felt like bad luck). The first time was Coroner's Court during COVID and I was treated appallingly- my son had a covid exposure notification the week before from nursery so I had no childcare. I was told that if I did not attend I would be fined, my mum had to have him for the week (and risk getting covid).

I think we’ll try to get him pulled on the grounds of being a carer and then just hope things are better in a year. From my understanding you can postpone it for a year but only once.

See this is what I’m afraid happens too often. I have many doubts about the justice system anyway that I’d voice if I was ever called

I done it when I was 18.

A load of you go in to a waiting room, and just twiddle your thumbs until you get called for a case. I got called to a hearing I think on the third day - it was a while ago so can't remember 100%. Some people don't get to see an actual hearing at all.

The court room was quite theatrical.

Some of the group were on a rape hearing, mine was about duress in association with a robbery.

Sorry - can't remember what the situation with lunch was.

I do remember seeing the defendants relatives outside after court though, was a bit awkward.

I've never been called and would probably be excused anyway, but DP has done it and actually was quite concerned about being identified by anyone related to defendants as I believe it was regarding violent conduct. I was surprised at the effect that had on him.

You definitely wouldn’t be allowed your laptop, your phones are removed during the security searches too.

shocked how biased follow jurors were and not that bright. Also very sexist. The loudest got heard and if you disagreed you got bullied

my dad did jury duty many years ago and said exactly the same. It’s not surprising really. Most educated people in decent jobs who I know will do anything to try and get out of it, largely as the expenses are so inadequate so it leaves a generally poor pool of people.

I got cited this year but am exempt due to my job so I emailed and was excused.

However I have just looked the law up and court journalists are not exempt in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland so the court has been quite correct not to exempt the poster who has tried to be excused on that basis.

Did it some time ago. Sex type case, no evidence as such. It had occurred some time before. Basically 'he did it' 'no I didn't'. There were several accusers who basically admitted they'd got together to destroy a former friends family after they fell out with her. The story's didn't make sense but it didn't matter. He was convicted almost as soon as the case started because 'he looked the type', 'seems a bit scruffy', 'they're such pretty girls they couldn't really make it up'.

Lawyers in Scotland are exempt though

I really hope my experience is not the 'norm' that would be awful for the justice system in this country.

The sexual assualt case really highlighted that the too many people judge a woman by what she wears and NOT the actions off a man who sexually assualts that woman. It was heartbreaking.

Done it once when I was 24. Fascinating process to be part of but boring trial. 5 weeks, “conspiracy to defraud the commonwealth” (Australia)

Same in our case though from the other perspective, mainly female jury with strongly assertive female chair. We were sent out almost as soon as it started for the judge to have some legal discussions. Straight away 'he looks the type', 'wouldn't have arrested him if he wasn't guilty', we hadn't heard any evidence and he was already guilty.

Would you be allowed to use a laptop, or are devices/internet use prohibited? Not sure what I'd do if called, tbh - I'm self-employed so have no generous employer to make up the inevitable shortfall in earnings. However, I can work from anywhere with an internet connection, so it would be frustrating to have to sit around waiting but not earning.

Edited to add - just spotted OP's post above - just have to hope I don't get called, then. It's a bit stupid, though - a jury is supposed to consist of a cross-section of society, but the financial conditions vastly favour those working for larger companies, who are rarely left out of pocket - unlike the self-employed or employees of cash-strapped small businesses. 🤔

We were given a pencil and piece of paper to make notes. I doubt a laptop would be permitted, you're meant to focus on the trial.

I was talking about the times you're left sitting around waiting to be called - not when you're actually in the court of jury room.

I was called twice in four years - at 19 and 23. I did it the first time. It was interesting as I was a law student at the time. Some of the jury room discussions were eye opening. The second time I had to defer as it clashed with exams and I then became a qualified lawyer so was not eligible for a number of years (although that has changed now and lawyers are eligible for selection now). Neither of my parents has ever been called. 🤷‍♀️

My DH was called a few months ago. He had to wait for a text message each evening for the next day. He was never needed and after the third day was let go. He just went to work as normal.

I’ve never been called and am nearly 50. I used to be barred as a solicitor but am now eligible (I googled it changed in 2004 for solicitors and barristers in England)

I've been called 3 times, 1st time I was 27, had 2 cases, one of which was a case that fell to bits, the other was dismissed. The 2nd time, I never attended a case. 3rd time, my boss asked for me to be excused, as I was an essential worker. I'd have no problems doing it again, the travel is a bit of pain for me, but it's not every week.

One case I remember as a trainee was a juror who kept falling asleep, he was a farmer up milking his cows before court. The judge and court staff were sympathetic to him.

I was called this year, and went in for the first morning to register etc. they selected a couple of juries from the pool of 60 and the rest were sent home. We were given a juror number and a phone number to call each evening to see if we were needed the next day, but I was never selected even though the juror number after mine was selected 3 times in the 10 days, and the juror number before mine twice. I'm disabled and wonder if they passed me over as they didn't want to pay my cab fare.
I have still never been inside a court room.

Yes. Interestingly there is quite a wide range of professions still exempt in both Scotland and Northern Ireland (not court journalists however) and no professions are automatically exempt any longer in England and Wales.