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Original poster

Jury service questions?

47 replies

WhimsicalGubbins76 · 06/04/2024 16:51

I’ve already scoured this site for an answer as well as google, but all I can find is what actually happens WHEN you’re a juror. I’m looking to find out what happens from the point of receiving the summons.
I received mine today (quite nervousexcited if I’m honest, I’ve always wanted the chance to be on a jury)
But what actually happens from the point I submit my response? Is there another selection process out of all the responses they receive back? And what happens on the first day? Are you definitely a juror or is there still a chance you might be going home without sitting on the jury?
Also, if the case is about something you’ve also previously been the victim of, are you then prevented from being a juror because you’d be deemed biased?
Sorry! I know it’s a lot of questions but I can’t seem to find any answers online about these specific things.

OP posts:
Sometimeswinning · 06/04/2024 23:51

tobee · 06/04/2024 23:33

I did jury service a few years ago.

If you saw that Channel 4 programme, The Jury just recently one thing they didn't make clear is you're not allowed to talk to your fellow jurors about the case while it's going on. You're also not allowed to tell anyone else about the case until a verdict has been reached. Then you can but you can't tell anyone about what went on in the jury room. Not even the judge, barristers, defendants etc. it's just the 12 year f you. They take it very seriously.

My case involved some aspects of social media and you were not even allowed to google that; say how Instagram works if you don't know. But you can have a phone/ipad etc with you in the waiting room. I listened to things and watched things etc because there were lots of stops and starts and I couldn't concentrate on a book.

My case was quite short but there was a group of jurors who'd been on a case for 6 weeks. It must have been strange to be there together for so long but with no discussion about the case until deliberation.

Edited

I did it recently. We could discuss the case as long as we were all together. Which happened before every court time. It wasn’t a nice case but I was never bored. I enjoyed my time in and out of court. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!

tobee · 07/04/2024 00:35

Oh that's interesting @Sometimeswinning. I think we were never all together for any length of time.

IIRC there are helplines you can call if you are distressed by the case.

minou123 · 07/04/2024 00:35

lemongrizzled · 06/04/2024 23:38

Did you have access to toilets while staying in the jury room? What if you were hungry or thirsty, could you only have things you’d brought in with you?

Show quote history

Yes, there are toilets in the jury room.

I went to my city court building, which is super duper modern, so the jury room is kitted out with a kitchen with free water, coffee, tea etc. And a little canteen for buying sandwiches and food etc.

I didn't like what they sold, so every morning I went to the little Tesco Express and bought sandwiche, drinks and took them in.
We were allowed back out for lunch, so I would go fur a walk and pop to tesco express again if needed.
But I imagine each court has different rules

My advice is to take some water and food on your first day and then at least you have something in case your court doesn't have facilities.

But remember, like others have said, there are security checks, so no scissors, cutlery.

Original poster
WhimsicalGubbins76 · 07/04/2024 00:58

Kayjay2018 · 06/04/2024 23:51

@WhimsicalGubbins76 I did jury service back at the end of October so quite recently.

From the point I accepted I then got a confirmation pack in the post with a bit more information and foetal on where to be at what point, local parking information etc.

Day 1 I arrived at the set time, we just had a video to watch after our ID documents had been checked. You do have to go through airport style security so don't take cutlery etc. sadly our juror waiting area just had seats and a few puzzles, basic facilities- toilet kettle fridge and vending machine.

You are initally to be available for 2 weeks and they do try and let you know in advance if it's likely to be more than that (some of the jurors we met were on week 3 or 4 but had been advised of that).

At selection time, 15 names from all available (some of those were the juror is not selected the previous week) were called into court. Brief details of the case were mentioned and names of the person on trial and key witnesses announced. At that point you had to make the clerk aware if you recognised either. From the 15 they then call 12 (I thinks it's twelve- I was number 4 so stopped counting). The others go back to that waiting area and may either be sent home or told to wait around. You then get sworn in and the case is under way. You absolutely must not (and the judge will reiterate this) do any of your own research or talk to anyone else outside your jury about the case. You decision has to be made on the facts presented.

You can't have your phone on when in court or in the room you are allocated as a jury to discuss and agree a verdict. The clerk takes them away.

I had one case in the first week so was in 3 days then told I wasn't needed in the Thursday and Friday. I was messaged to say I was needed back in the Monday but in a different court (within the same county).
I think we just sat around that day before being dismissed and then had to be back next day.
That day I was again selected and sworn in for a case lasting about 3 or 4 days. Gladly one of the jury had to pull out before the case started (we were sworn in and then sent on a lunch break). They then have to formally discharge you, gather enough people to select another random jury (th ey don't just replace the person). That lost us all Tuesday and as I had advised I didn't have childcare available after the end of the week they said I was no longer needed.

Remember to get receipts to claim back parking and any travel costs (they pay a certain amount per mile for fuel) and claim for lunch even if you take your own on the days you are in. Maximum amounts you can claim should be on your documents but lunch and travel is on top.

I was really really nervous ahead of it, met a bunch of lovely people so we all got chatting while waiting around which made it better. I would do it again, even though we had a really sad case (they do offer support if you need it).

If they don't sentence while you are there you can call back and find out the outcome (if you find someone guilty)

Ahh that’s really good to know, thank you!! I get terrible parking anxiety 🤣 I need to know the situation before I go anywhere-so the fact that details should hopefully be included in anything they send me is a HUGE relief!
I am really nervous, I’ll admit, but I’ve wanted to do this for so long. My DH is absolutely seething with jealousy 🤣 he’s obsessed with anything to do with law enforcement and the legal system

OP posts:
novocaine4thesoul · 07/04/2024 01:25

As OP have said, there is a lot of waiting around. They called me up for the second time (aged 36) for a 2 week spell, they called me the first time aged 20 in the middle of my finals at Uni (got let off). It is not so bad if you get a case, I did immediately and although "enjoyed" is a strong word given it is never a good thing, I did like some aspects of it, being a complete break from normality, fully paid, lunch vouchers etc. and liked some of my fellow jurors and found the process interesting. I got put on a second case, more harrowing, thrown out of court on a technicality. Some people had just sat for 14 days with nothing doing, this must be hard. We were let out to go home every night, not all cases do, and I have heard that some of cases went on for months. It is a bit random.

Orangesandlemons82 · 07/04/2024 01:42

minou123 · 06/04/2024 23:18

Honestly, you'll be fine.

Lots of memories are coming back to me now.
The judge alao told us not to do anything stupid - well not in those words 😁

He told us of a time he was a judge in a murder trial. The jury really struggled to find the accused guilty or not guilty. So, one bright spark juror decided to bring in a ouija board and the jury heald a seance to try and communicate with the murdered women to find out from her, who killed her.

So, I think as long as you dont do anything daft like that, you'll be fine 🙂

Show quote history

This happened in the trial of a double murder of a couple in Wadhurst, East Sussex. They used an ouija board to contact one of the victims- Harry Fuller to find out if the defendant had killed him and his wife. It ended up in a retrial.

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 07/04/2024 01:55

I got placed on a murder trial on the first morning. The full two weeks in one trial. Fascinating stuff.

You may have to come and go from court if there’s legal argument that has to be done in the jury’s absence. We had a bit of that.

The judge will explain everything about prohibitions, deliberation, the law and the legal tests you have to apply in reaching a verdict.

Take lots of notes. (You’re given the pencils/pens and paper.)

Tescovalu · 07/04/2024 03:50

Rocknrollstar · 06/04/2024 17:08

Take a snack and a book. You might be called immediately for a trial or you might have to sit around. DH had to phone everyday to see if they wanted him. DD sat around for a week and was then dismissed. On the first morning they show a video about what to expect in court.

This very likely

CadoAvo · 07/04/2024 04:07

I'm not sure if it's the same everywhere but I'm in Scotland and we had lunch provided for free once we were sworn in. It was also 2019 so pre covid. We had a guy who looked after us and he took our lunch orders in the morning.

On my trial we ended up being excused on day 2 of the trial starting because a witness mentioned something about the accused's criminal record which we were not allowed to know about so they had to start the trial again with a new jury. I was devastated and I'm still waiting for my redemption summons!! At least I got a free fish and chips for lunch 🤣

MarieG10 · 07/04/2024 08:41

Loads of waiting and may not get a trial in two weeks!
I took my work laptop and basically got a nice corner and worked like at the office except no teams calls. A couple of others joined me and also worked. The rest basically read papers, played games and chatted.

There was a clear divide of people in the room. A few professionals who had come dressed for the occasion and the rest were mainly jeans, tee shirts and track suits. Many were clearly not happy being there.

There were very few people from the private sector. I found out the routine was they generally got excused. The remaining were generally public sector and a whopping number of unemployed or benefits claimants. It was honestly eye opening and made me come to realise that I didn't want to be tried by a jury of peers. I was the only one on the case to actually take any notes.

I did as I thought was my civic duty but realised why I've now been called multiple times as so many get excused.

Be ready to have your eyes opened 🙄

Tescovalu · 07/04/2024 12:52

Yes, the interesting too boring ratio in a trial is normally 20:80

terceira · 07/04/2024 13:42

We weren't allowed out at lunchtime unless proceedings had ended for the day but you could either bring sandwiches in or order some that came from a sandwich shop. I took my own because the sandwich shop ones were horrid.

We had to go through a metal detector to get into the jury room. Yes there will be loos and probably lots of magazines and perhaps books.

Re parking: you should ask whether you're allowed to drive as I think they expect you to use public transport if possible. No transport near me so I was permitted but was expected to use Park & Ride as it's cheaper than city car parks.

I didn't get on a trial straight away and was sent home at lunchtime the first day so I went back to work. I had a number to ring at 4pm each day to listen to a message listing the jurors required to go in the next day (you won't have to do this if you are on a case) . After a couple of days I went back in and got on a case that ran for a few days and then collapsed because of a CPS mistake (this is common apparently). Back to work for a day and then called in the next and got on another case that went to deliberation.

You will probably be warned that you will be deliberating the next day so I would bring loads of food if you get hungry. They did provide the aforementioned sandwiches and drinks.

It might be worth taking a jumper as some court buildings are freezing.

I enjoyed it, it was interesting and much more worthwhile than my real job. I also read about 4 books in the 2 weeks and a fellow juror got quite a bit of knitting done.

Original poster
WhimsicalGubbins76 · 07/04/2024 16:56

lol! By the sounds of it I’d best take my kindle, I’m quite a fast reader so I may well get through more than a couple of books. Unfortunately, even though I work from home, I won’t be able to take my laptop with me and work in the waiting room. We’re not even allowed to work with a family member in the room at home- and I cannot knit for sh*t 🤣 so that’s out.
On the summons it tells you what you can claim back for mileage so I presume I’m ok to drive, the court is in the city closest to me, but it’s still nearly 40 miles away-I don’t fancy 40 miles on a bus-and I hate the train, FAR too peopley 🤣

OP posts:
Tescovalu · 07/04/2024 16:57

Well get used to the people aspect because you’re gonna be sitting in a room with before selection about 30 of them and after selection ….

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 07/04/2024 17:18

Interesting thread! I believe the standard length of time you're called up for is two weeks. If there's a trial about to start which is expected to last longer than that, how do they go about selecting the jury? What reasons would be accepted for saying 'No, I can only do the two weeks' or 'I could do one more week, but I can't do six weeks' or whatever?

minou123 · 07/04/2024 17:40

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 07/04/2024 17:18

Interesting thread! I believe the standard length of time you're called up for is two weeks. If there's a trial about to start which is expected to last longer than that, how do they go about selecting the jury? What reasons would be accepted for saying 'No, I can only do the two weeks' or 'I could do one more week, but I can't do six weeks' or whatever?

My huge £80m fraud trial was expected to go on for 3 months.

When our names were called to be on the jury, we were all taken into a small room. There was 20 of us called. Because I think they knew lots of people wouldn't be able to be a juror on a 3 month trial.

I am a civil servant, so I couldn't say no. As did the other public employees.

I can remember 3 people who couldn't commit to 3 months:

  • self employed, they couldn't afford to take 3 months out.
  • a security guard on a zero hour contract, he explained his employer would let him go and he would lose his job
  • SAHM. She had managed to get childcare and her husband had sorted annual leave to cover the 2 weeks but wasn't able to sort it for 3 months.

They were all excused.

As a civil servant, I work for one of the larger departments and we have special leave for jury duty, so there was no problems.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 07/04/2024 18:40

Thank you, @minou123, that's very helpful.

NewName24 · 07/04/2024 18:45

Tescovalu · 07/04/2024 16:57

Well get used to the people aspect because you’re gonna be sitting in a room with before selection about 30 of them and after selection ….

Couple of hundred in my case

But yes, I was going to say you will be with a lot of people.

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 07/04/2024 18:51

WhimsicalGubbins76 · 07/04/2024 16:56

lol! By the sounds of it I’d best take my kindle, I’m quite a fast reader so I may well get through more than a couple of books. Unfortunately, even though I work from home, I won’t be able to take my laptop with me and work in the waiting room. We’re not even allowed to work with a family member in the room at home- and I cannot knit for sh*t 🤣 so that’s out.
On the summons it tells you what you can claim back for mileage so I presume I’m ok to drive, the court is in the city closest to me, but it’s still nearly 40 miles away-I don’t fancy 40 miles on a bus-and I hate the train, FAR too peopley 🤣

You might want to limit what you take. I’d take a book rather than a Kindle: there was a terrible theft problem at the court I attended. We had to put cables with locks through our coats when we hung them up.

Original poster
WhimsicalGubbins76 · 07/04/2024 20:35

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 07/04/2024 18:51

You might want to limit what you take. I’d take a book rather than a Kindle: there was a terrible theft problem at the court I attended. We had to put cables with locks through our coats when we hung them up.

Show quote history

useful to know! Thank you! I have no idea what this court is like, but im probably best erring on the side of caution, what with it being a criminal court 🤣

OP posts:
Imperrysmum · 02/12/2024 18:43

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 07/04/2024 18:51

You might want to limit what you take. I’d take a book rather than a Kindle: there was a terrible theft problem at the court I attended. We had to put cables with locks through our coats when we hung them up.

Show quote history

How ironic! 😭

Original poster
WhimsicalGubbins76 · 02/12/2024 19:15

Imperrysmum · 02/12/2024 18:43

How ironic! 😭

Show quote history

I know right 🤣 fortunately the court I was at was super secure. We could leave everything unattended. Besides, I was on case my entire time so I left everything in the deliberation room every day

OP posts:
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