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?

And mental health illness, don't forget that bit.

I'm surprised the police turned up too.

I attend courts frequently due to the nature of my job and am often present for jury selection. I can remember occasions where people cited to attend for jury selection haven't turned up. In one case, I was told roughly HALF of those cited to attend hadn't shown up.

When I asked the court officer whether those people could expect a knock at the front door tonight, I was told that the courts/police don't have capacity to chase non-attendees.

Amazed they turned up. I've ignored citations twice in my younger years and never heard a thing about it.

You don’t turn up at court with a note from your GP excusing you - like it’s PE.
In the first instance you speak to the court and explain the issue. They may then write to your doctor for further information- but the decision lies with the court/judge

An awful lot of defendants and witnesses go to their GP to say that they can’t possibly attend - in every case they are told to contact the court

Im a doctor - not a GP but know an awful lot and this is a regular issue. The judge does not want an unsolicited note from a doctor

Sorry cleanitup but didn't you know mental health has been reframed by the public to mean only non messy cute little anxiety and ocd memes, certainly nothing that could diabolical impact someone's life

Did you confirm your attendance?

I had to confirm my attendance by a certain date.
I had to ask my employer and book time off before confirming my attendance.

Did you book time off work?

I wasn’t needed in the end unfortunately ☹️ but I’m struggling to see how it got this far without them contacting you beforehand.

I have to agree- ignorance is no excuse.
My DD had a jury citation a few weeks ago, but her employer refused to allow time off to attend.

When I got the letter I was away on holiday and it was just delivered as normal post so there was no proof it ever arrived. I did some research and found that if you didn’t reply at all you were unlikely to be chased - but if you appealed and it was rejected but you didn’t turn up you would probably be prosecuted.
I always wanted to do it and hope to one day but at the time our circumstances meant it was completely impossible and I wasn’t risking having an appeal turned down.

I would love to be called for jury service. I was called once over 35 years ago, but it coincided with my first day in my first proper job and they let me off. Been waiting ever since and I don't even work, so would be very easy to do. Hey ho.

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.

Even being on the assessment pathway would be some kind of evidence one could provide if summoned though.

When my husband did jury service there was a room full of potential jurors. Certain people were assigned to a particular trial (there were lots happening at the same time). You might get a quick, simple case or a murder trial. In my husband's case it was going equipped to burgle. Open and shut case lasting a few hours or a couple of days (can't remember now) and he was then dismissed from jury service. I think there's a chance that you do more than one trial, but not sure about that.

You don't need sopmeone to give info about your childhood... though it ihelps to have someone that has known you for a long time to give information. (My dad was dead and my mum was in a care home cand could not remember stuff)

I didn't need a GP to agree. I filled in the form and was excused... Though I may be called again.

Everybodies autism is different. just because you can with your autism does not mean that another autistic person could. Some have more difficulties with auditory processing, or sensory input or stimming, or other conditions.

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.

Having people from a range of backgrounds could provide valuable input in the jury room and a different perspective.

Imagine a jury full of Mumsnetters

I hope OP you get it all sorted ok and that you are ok ongoing 💐

my own experience of not being able to do Jury Duty when I had no childcare and was struggling to work was I offered to do it in the school holidays but by the actual day of court I’d not heard back so I rang the court and was told not to worry and I’d be called some other time. Never heard again, quite a relief really as my mum did one and she was a bit traumatised by it (wasn’t able to talk to us about it ). That was about twenty years ago. I did spend the whole day worrying someone would turn up and drag me off somewhere.

Imagine a jury full of Mumsnetters

🤣🤣🤣

@Plbrookes

Not as shocking as your stupidity and fecklessness.

Can you explain?

Yes. You insult people and you can expect the same back.

Yes. You insult people and you can expect the same back.

I haven't insulted anyone?

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.

You do not need a medical note to be exempt from jury service.