Should I do jury service?

[Juryorrun]

I’ve been summoned to do jury service. I have good reasons to be excused from it, and those same reasons would make it a right old ballache to do (caring responsibilities etc). And I would also have an almost 2 hour journey to get there, and the same back each day.

It says 10 days service on the letter, but also says it may go on longer. Is that a standard thing it always says, or is it really likely to be around the 10 day mark? If it’s going to be a lot longer than that it definitely wouldn’t be possible.

BUT…I’ve always wanted to do jury service and I’d actually like to do it. I know it probably won’t be as exciting as I’m expecting it to be, but I think it would be interesting.

So AIBU for not getting out of it when I easily could, and it will be a right PITA logistics wise?

I have always fancied doing it. I’m 64 now and I’ve never been called 🤷‍♀️

Depends where you live

small town crown court probs no longer than 10 days

big city - someone I know just did a 3 month trial

I haven't been called either, neither has DH, we are in our mid 60s. We could both manage it more easily now we are retired and I could use my free bus pass.

@ftp are you sure about the overnight expenses? That would make life a lot easier, if I could book a cheap hotel in Bristol. I had to do a similar length drive today, stayed where I went for an hour where I just had to sit and do nothing, and then drove home, and I really struggled due to my health. Which made me panic a bit that I shouldn’t have said yes to jury service. If I didn’t have the drive/journey to court it would take much less out of me each day.

I could stay with friends some of the nights but then I’d feel like I had to talk to them, rather than just switch off, and would probably be sleeping on sofas.

It is an obligation we should all strive to fulfil, so long as there isn't a reasonable excuse or set of exceptional circumstances preventing attendance.

It makes you wonder how the barristers can bring themselves to do it. Everybody deserves representation and all, but surely they often know when somebody is guilty, surely it must be upsetting for them to, to have to defend them??

No. With the exception of the foreperson, no members of the jury spoke in the courtroom that I can remember.

It may vary from court to court but on the first day we were shown around then taken into one of the Courts and we had to orally swear the oath or affirm. There were few people there other than other jurors and a few Court officials.

You have another 12 years to go, I got the call and was 2 months off my 76th birthday, the top limit.

Bear in mind OP, that the chances of it actually going ahead are slim. Either because your name isn't picked in the ballot or because the case doesn't proceed. I'm in Scotland, if that's relevant.

Brilliant! They’ll wait until my arthritis will make sitting still in a straight chair for hours day-after-day really painful 😂

But if it's a valid reason as you have to care, how could you do it? Who would do the caring ?

I'm glad I did it for the time off work and
The interesting case . Lots of waiting
Around was good brain break for me with a stressful job

How does the ballot work? Is that done before the first day you’re meant to turn up, or when you turn up?

re the caring, I could get people to help with that short term.

Yes!
The first week I didn’t get picked so was sent home by midday everyday.
The second week I was selected for a trial, it lasted 3 days so was told I wasn’t needed for the last 2 days.
You are asked in the second week if you can do a third week should a big case come in, if you can’t they strike you off the list to be selected from. (Or they did when I did it)…
I found it full but then I was only selected 3 out of 10 days!

My sister was selected and deferred hers, hoping she wouldn’t get called again… she was called a year later and wished she’d just done it the first time round.

It’s smart casual!
We had one guy sent home because he turned up in his work uniform (think bin man!) You have to dress reasonably. Jeans and t-shirt or jumper fine.

Literally everyone turns up and goes through security … you wait in a room and they call you if you’ve been selected. If not you wait a while to see if you’re called for another case, in my case I was sent home everyday for the first week.

I think the people that say they really enjoy it are the same people that get a thrill out of curtain twitching and gossip

@YeahIsaidit personally I’d like to do it because I’m intrigued to see the inner workings of the justice system, seeing as I studied a lot of criminology for my degree, but have never actually been inside a criminal court.

So that debunks your theory.

I've never done jury service but used to work as a newspaper reporter so I sat in on many crown court trials, plus my SIL is a barrister so my curiosity is sated.

I hope they don't call me up any time soon, given my colossal care responsibilities.

I don't know if anyone answered this. Absolutely no need for office clothes. Jurors wear all sorts, jeans etc. Wear something you will be comfortable in, particularly if you have a long commute. And bring a book or other means of occupying yourself as there can be a lot of time spent waiting outside court

I was called years ago (to Bristol) and I was absolutely delighted because I have always been fascinated by law. The first day was brilliant watching all the ushers etc at work and waiting to be called. Then I was chosen to be on a jury and the case was the kidnap and violent rape of a woman. The rapist was on licence from prison (for murder). I still don't regret doing the jury service but I am a pretty resilient person and it was one of the most harrowing experiences of my life.

I think if you have genuine caring responsibilities and can’t do it justice then you should exempt yourself. I’m nearly 53 and never been called and neither has DH or our parents. Are people randomly selected?

You don't know if you like it though. You're just intrigued but I stick with my assumption. Not interested in justice, just being nosy

Apparently, but I know people who have been called multiple times and others who never got called and are now too old for it (maximum age is 70).

The older folk would actually be more than happy to go as they have plenty of time and don't need to worry about loss of income or childcare either!

The entire system seems bloody backwards to me and doesn't seem to make much sense.

That's quite insulting. I'm not sure 'enjoy' is the right word but I certainly found it interesting and insightful. It plunges you into a totally different world with it's own language, way of doing things and cast of characters (for want of a better phrase). I am only moderately gossipy and never twitched a curtain in my life.