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Original poster

Missed Jury Duty

249 replies

cherryberry90 · 21/01/2023 21:50

As the subject explains

Was out earlier shopping, and came home and eldest daughter mentioned that a couple of officers were at my flat, basically for a missed appearance at Jury Duty

Do not wanna make things any worse than what they are now, scary thought what to do next

Any advice that would be helpful?

OP posts:
IsItThough · 22/01/2023 16:56

Fuzziefelt · 22/01/2023 10:00

If it came to it I’d pay a fine

Show quote history

Don't listen to all these naysayers @Fuzziefelt. Explain your circumstances, and the problems and distress that it will cause you due to your suspected diagnosis. They don't want people on a Jury who will not cope. There is too much potential for disrupting a trial which is a load of hassle and cost.

yousmellnice · 22/01/2023 17:07

Cocobutt · 22/01/2023 11:56

I don't think they should have a choice. Juror are needed. Lots of them. Given a choice many people wouldn't choose to do it, so they are made to as part of their civic duty.

But there are also people (like me) who are desperate to do it and I don’t think they’d ever be short of volunteers.

Although I guess the whole idea is for it to be random and your average Joe and not someone who wants to do it, which could be for the wrong reasons.

I've done it. It was traumatic. I'd happily never do it again.

HereComesMaleficent · 22/01/2023 17:21

Hope you got it sorted OP

As previous PP's said it's a criminal offence to not answer a summons or fail to turn up. But I hope you managed to speak to the police on 101 and explain everything and get clarity.

I was called for jury duty, however couldn't sit on the panel, I knew the defendant through the work I do 🤣 They then tried to put me on a different panel, and again I knew the defendant so couldn't.

The joys of being a community worker who works with the homeless of my city and those involved with the CJS already.

Court Clark laughed and said, think we will just dismiss you or you are going to be here for days having to say, you know the defendants.

Never been called up again, don't think I will, I think they have permanently excused me.

Teder · 22/01/2023 21:45

Cocobutt · 22/01/2023 12:10

Imagine a jury full of Mumsnetters

🤣🤣🤣

I’d just plead guilty and risk prison. 😉😂

Kennykenkencat · 23/03/2023 12:20

Fuzziefelt · 21/01/2023 22:16

It’s not that easy. It’s near impossible on the nhs in my area and v v expensive privately plus I have nobody to give information about my childhood

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With my adhd assessment I had no one to vouch for my childhood so I just filled in that part myself

IsItThough · 26/03/2023 16:56

Patineur · 22/01/2023 08:50

I'd call them up and tell them the state of your mental health and that you were in no fit state to pass judgement on anyone and hope they just excuse you.

That will only work if there is medical evidence to support it.

Not true. Explain your circumstances honestly and clearly. I was summonsed and having panic attacks at the prospect. I was at that point awaiting my ADHD diagnosis (now confirmed) plus GAD (diagnosed) and claustrophobia. Not to mention running my own business and complex caring responsibilities. I couldn't sit in one spot/concentrate for more than about 15-20 minutes without a movement break, and I couldn't cope with being locked in a deliberation room at all. I've been told I won't be called again.

doomdoors · 13/04/2023 08:42

LorW · 21/01/2023 23:43

I’m interested in how it all works, do some people get sent away? Like for example if you got called in to a child murder case and had young children? I’d probably cry my eyes out right there in the courtroom.

Yeah because only mothers with young children would be upset by a murder of a young child?!?!? Are you for real?!?

doomdoors · 13/04/2023 08:45

MichaelFabricantWig · 21/01/2023 23:56

We aren't required to do much to contribute to the society we live in

Apart from pay for it all through our taxes of course

I think it's only the long term higher rate tax payers who actually put more into the system than they take out. Most people are a 'drain' on society if you view it only in terms of how much tax you pay.

PackMule12 · 18/03/2024 12:24

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

AnonoMisss · 09/06/2024 00:09

Northernlurker · 21/01/2023 22:38

They won't take your word for it.Your gp may provide evidence but it may not be accepted. Jury duty is a fundamental civic responsibility. You don't get to opt out. Sometimes we all have to do things we find hard. Nobody is totally happy and comfortable with jury duty.

OP I hope you're on the phone to the police now.

ableist reply

do you also tell people in wheelchairs to just get up and walk

AnonoMisss · 09/06/2024 00:12

Fuzziefelt · 21/01/2023 22:58

I do see your point but I won’t be doing it as it will be impossible I’m not making myself Ill

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just ignore the judgy ableist replies, do what works best for you, only you know your situation and a letter from your GP will more than suffice!

AnonoMisss · 09/06/2024 00:13

MoscowMules · 21/01/2023 23:15

Here England and Wales.

You get fair notice of a jury summons.

Initial summons received (pink letter) you are requested to reply to, forget to do that they will send you a reminder. (Another pink letter) fail to do that they send you a warning.

You also get about 4+ months notice of when you will be needed.

I was summoned in December 2019 to then be told I'd be required in early March 2020. Didn't due it due to lockdown.

It's not just a one letter job fail to reply/attend and police come knocking. Hence why the prosecution of it is a bit of a given.

You could argue you didn't receive one letter, but not receiving 3 or 4 where the writing on the envelope gets more red, and more IMPORTANT.

It's basically designed in a way that favours prosecution for failure to reply/attend.

Now you can argue the "fairness" of that, absolutely. But you get more than one chance to answer the summons.

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here its only 2 letters and not recorded so no way they can prove receipt and its only 6 weeks notice so its clearly different around the country

AnonoMisss · 09/06/2024 00:18

Toddlerteaplease · 21/01/2023 23:31

It's compulsory. You can defer once I believe, for a genuine reason such as a pre booked holiday. Or work commitments. They are very unlikely to make an ex twitch no formal diagnosis.

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I have deferred 3 times and one time it was for a medical condition that is considered a disabilty but I dont have a diagnosis through a doctor because its such a new condition and not in DSM5 yet but I was excused

AnonoMisss · 09/06/2024 00:21

saraclara · 22/01/2023 00:22

My partner has diagnosed autism and it never occurred to him to try to use it to get out of doing it, he was fine.

You know that not all autistic people are the same, surely @Shgytfgtf111 ?

None of the young autistic people I taught would be able to cope with jury service, for instance.

And does he also have mutism and migraines and all the other things that the poster mentioned?

Its so neurotypical to assume the label means everyone who has it is exactly the same!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AnonoMisss · 09/06/2024 00:23

DrMarciaFieldstone · 22/01/2023 03:39

You’ll need a diagnosis

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nope not necessarily

AnonoMisss · 09/06/2024 00:26

purpledalmation · 22/01/2023 08:48

What a bloody ridiculous thing to do. Messed around lots of people. Do you also ignore credit card debts?

wow what a judgy comment? And if it is something like ADHD then she vey well could and it woud be part of the condition

You know nothing about the condition but feel entitled to judge, please be careful on the dismount from the high horse

AnonoMisss · 09/06/2024 00:28

Hoppinggreen · 22/01/2023 09:16

You may well be but unfortunately without an official diagnosis from a medical professional it will be very hard to do/not do things due to your autism.
For obvious reasons an official body (such as The Police, Courts etc) probably can’t just make allowances for you without a medical diagnosis on your records

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yes they can speaking from experience

CaptainOliviaBenson · 09/06/2024 00:38

🧟‍♀️

AnonoMisss · 09/06/2024 00:41

OMG12 · 22/01/2023 12:55

I think this is largely the fault of people who decide ordinary, everyday feelings and emotions now mean mental health problems. People self diagnosing all manner of things. Struggle with change seems to lead to self diagnosing autism. Feeling. Bit sad=depression etc etc.

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how do you think people get a diagnosis for adhd, autism etc if they dont self diagnose first (especially as adults/females)?!

HirplesWithHaggis · 09/06/2024 01:59

It's a year and a half since this thread was posted, what do you think you're contributing picking fault with posters now?

DrMarciaFieldstone · 09/06/2024 03:51

AnonoMisss · 09/06/2024 00:23

nope not necessarily

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You alright?!

sanityisamyth · 09/06/2024 09:43

@AnonoMisss how many messages do you need to pick out of an 18 month old thread. How are you helping the OP? Find some other way of passing your time.

Mellymoon · 09/06/2024 09:57

So basically you messed up a trial. Well done. 🙄

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 09/06/2024 21:05

Mellymoon · 09/06/2024 09:57

So basically you messed up a trial. Well done. 🙄

Well if she did it was over a year ago 🙄

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