Missed Jury Duty

[cherryberry90]

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?

You ain't getting a custodial or anything for this, a fine if found guilty/admit guilty, how much, couldn't tell you.

But your legal council will have time to advise you what to do how to plea. Listen to them.

You aren't the first to have done this, you won't be the last.

But taking ownership of it now, will stop it snowballing.

Good luck OP.

I'd like to do it, which means I will likely never be called. Hope you get it sorted, no idea if was so serious if didn't turn up.

You knew you had jury duty, didn’t forget bud just chose not to go?!
It’s a criminal offence and you could get into real trouble for this, go straight to the police ASAP and do some grovelling.

I don’t mean to sound harsh, but a lot of people have family and MH issues - jury duty isn’t just like bunking off work for the day because you feel like it.
You really need to deal with things like this properly in future.

Classic example of sticking your head in the sand and hoping that something will go away - and it won't. Big mistake, but now is time to learn from it. Do the right thing and deal with it, accept any consequence (it won't be jail, more likely a fine and a telling off), learn from it and move on.

You can't get an exemption due to it then unfortunately

You can apply for it to be deferred or excused. But it's up to them if they accept it or not.

No I am 100% autistic

I don’t have a diagnosis. As a child I was taken to be assessed but part way through (this was in the late 80s) my parents decided to pull out of the whole process and were allowed to do so!!!!! The consultant had said to them I was clearly autistic and would get a diagnosis did they want to proceed they said no that I wasn’t having that label. So yes, I am autistic

No you don't get a choice, and how do you know you have undiagnosed autism if you haven't got a diagnosis? You use the excuse 'I don't want to' for jury duty.

I had a medical reason that my GP sent a letter to say that I wasn’t medically fit for jury duty. Expected to be called again within a year but I haven’t been called since.

You don’t just get to decide you ‘don’t want to do it’, it’s your duty and autism isn’t a reason to get out of it.

I’m formally diagnosed with an ASD and I still did my duty with no issues - if you’re just slapping a label on yourself to skirt your responsibility it won’t work.

If you genuinely believe you’re unfit to do it you’ll need a GP to agree, but to be honest I just get the impression you don’t fancy it (which isn’t how it works, you have to do it regardless)

I’ve explained above . I’m sure they will understand why I can’t go.

OP sorry for posting on your thread. I hope you can get things sorted out

OP, you need to call the police station and explain officers came to you and you weren't in and ask what you should do next. Then do that.
I would advise that if they want to speak to you, make sure you have legal representation.
Good luck.

No it isn’t. Lots of people would never do it if it was just a civil offence and a fine.

It’s really not - it’s a key part of our justice system, and if it was anything less than a criminal offence you’d have people bunking off left right and centre.

There needs to be severe consequences for non-attendance to keep people turning up.

I’ll get a gp letter then i know they’ll do one. You’re right I don’t want to do it and I won’t do it. It will make me Ill. Just because one person with ASD can do it doesn’t mean the next person with ASD can as each person will have certain unique difficulties

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. Have you even actually been summoned?

Yes but I’ll speak to my gp. They are aware of what happened when I was a child with the near diagnosis. I actually can’t believe that was allowed to happen but it did so I can’t change that .
The gp knows i have related issues , selective mutism , hemiplegic migraines triggered by stress and meltdowns , and various other issues to do with autism . I know they’ll write a letter if needs be if that’s what I have to do if they don’t take my word for it

Anxiety will be enough , you don't need a formal diagnosis, talk to your GP and say how anxious it's making you feel.

Thank you

www.courtroomadvice.co.uk/failure-attend-jury-service.html#:~:text=Under%20no%20circumstances%20simply%20don,as%20they%20can%20help%20you.

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.

Then yes that should all be enough.

No its not optional. You can apply to be excused but you can't just say you're not going or not bother showing up

it’s not as easy as just doing it. It would be impossible and I wouldn’t be able to follow it or retain the information I needed to to do it properly and that won’t help anyone !!

I can explain, if that’s not enough the gp can write and I’m sure that will suffice, if not then I will opt out and just get a fine as that’s the better option for me.

I really feel for OP. I hope the police are understanding

I mean....your anxiety could mean you never open your post....