To think jury service was a waste of my time

[Harriette678]

Spent the whole week last week waiting around, didn’t get picked. Then was on call, then told I didn’t need to come back.

I’m so utterly disappointed as I really wanted to serve on a jury, and overall it felt like an utter waste of my time arranging childcare for a potential two weeks that in the end was just sitting around not getting picked. I had to have it in place just in case, due to my circumstances. Just gutted really lol

anyone else have a similar experience?

Sorry you weren’t picked, OP, that must have been frustrating. I’ve been called up twice and my work continued paying me for both fortnights. First time I was studying for exams and basically had an extra 6 days studying plus 4 days in court on an interesting case. I got loads of revision done so it was extremely useful. Second time I had a 6 day case and 4 days hanging around the jurist’s lounge, again I took work in and did some of that, but it was basically 4 relaxing days drinking coffee and chatting. Both court cases were interesting, one was theft and one was smuggling. I’d be happy to be called up again! I found it fascinating to see the justice system in operation.

I'd pick having my time wasted over hearing the explicit details of a disturbing crime.

I'm aware I'll be flogged for not being a conscientious citizen but if I got the letter, I don't think I'd bother going. I'd lose a fortune if I had to do jury duty, as they only pay you minimum wage and it's a total faff to submit your claim for your pittance.

I hardly ever receive post these days. A big pile once every 5 or 6 weeks, thanks to the Royal Mail. Since jury letters aren't sent in any trackable way and the mail service is a shambles, I don't see how they could ever prove you ignored a letter.

I did get chosen, it was a serious trial and it was still a total and utter waste of time. Jurors were bullied by the most overpowering personalities, very few had even a small grasp of the law and all but 2 chose the personality of the defence team over facts. It finally ended in a mistrial, serving no good to anyone. If we actually want the outcome to be based on law rather than luck, we should have professional jurors rather than juries of one's peers.

I’d be interested to hear more about this. I’ve done jury service and I think it’s a terrible way to decide on the fate of someone. One of the jurors just wanted everyone to come to a verdict as quickly as possible because he wanted to get home, most of them weren’t taking it seriously at all. I was in my early 20s and it was a rape case, and I struggled to make my voice heard. I’d probably do it again if called (if I could sort childcare etc), as from my previous experience I’m among the more sensible members of society so would like to offset the other idiots I encountered. But I’d prefer that the vast majority of verdicts were delivered by trained judges or magistrates.

Or professional jurors as mentioned above

My mum has this. A week of sitting around and then told not to come back the following week as there were no cases scheduled (that’s what she was told anyway).

I thought the same way, then a railway wanted to put their train through my kitchen. The Public Inquiry agreed my property should be protected by the rails not being so close. The railway then built the rails even closer to my house than they said at Public inquiry. I obviously sought Judicial review, it was a huge hassle and cost a lot of time and fees- the judge just decided it's already there it's fine and I was ordered to pay the costs of the other side as well as having a train through my kitchen- so no I don't believe the decisions are better made by trained judges and magistrates, because the government ultimately tells them what to decide in spite of what is fair or reasonable- you have a better chance with rolling the dice with a jury.

Yes. My brother is a sensible, well-balanced individual, but he was badly affected by the trial he was on for a fair while afterwards. I think therapy was offered to everyone on that jury.

I think people would be a lot more willing if there was no chance they'd be out of pocket.

My workplace will pay you, but my previous wouldn't. Financial uncertainty shouldn't be ignored because of civic duty.

People that are worrying about the cost of being there are not going to be best placed to make decisions that might extend their service.

I had a tricky time getting excused last year due to severe anxiety and ASD. In the end I said just fine me or whatever you need to do and only then did they excuse me .

Personally think you dodged a bullet.
From what I understand, it can be a really traumatic and upsetting experience (in terms of what jurors hear/see evidence wise/are exposed to about the crime in question)
Be glad you DIDN'T get picked, as there are probably others that are now stuck with images they'd rather not have.

My mum had this she read books all week. I couldn’t believe how inefficient the whole system sounded. Late start times etc. still really want to do it though!