against mandatory jury service

[happyharpist]

A friend of mine has started this petition against mandatory jury service. Please sign if you agree!

I advocate for abolishing compulsory jury service due to its potential impact on individuals' lives, causing disruptions, financial strain, and therefore potentially compromising the fairness of trials.

We believe compelling individuals without their explicit consent infringes on their rights. The obligation to serve on a jury is imposed without voluntary agreement, disrupting personal and professional lives. We consider that this lack of consent challenges the democratic principle that citizens should have a say in the responsibilities imposed on them. If jurors are grappling with anger, stress, or personal concerns such as lack of childcare or financial hardship, it could impact their ability to make unbiased decisions.

[ChocolateRat]

It's a foundational principle of our democratic society.

[Lovingitallnow]

I think you need to have a broad cross section of society to choose from in order to have a fair trial so it's fundamental in my opinion.

[BeyondMyWits]

It is every citizen's right under law to be tried in front of a jury of their peers. Yes it is bloomin inconvenient, but as it stands it really is a right I do not want to give up.

[DancefloorAcrobatics]

You can only be called up once in your lifetime.
How do you expect anyone get a fair trial, if jury isn't selected randomly?

[Fizzadora]

Your friend needs to grow up.

[TwigTheWonderKid]

I think this is a dangerous idea. It will inevitably mean that juries become self-selecting and no longer a proper cross-section of society.

Perhaps you'd be better concentrating your efforts on campaigning for better financial support for jurors so that everyone can take part without being financially disadvantaged.

[BeyondMyWits]

@DancefloorAcrobatics

You can only be called up once in your lifetime.
How do you expect anyone get a fair trial, if jury isn't selected randomly?

Sorry, in the UK this isn't true. I have been called twice.
If you are called to a trial which runs for a long time, or which is particularly harrowing, you can be excused any further calls, but that is up to the judge.

[Labtastic]

Nonsense. If you make it voluntary, only a narrow section of society will volunteer, and then it's not a trial by peers.

Get over it. It's part of being a responsible member of society.

[Loubelle70]

I was called up but disabled so got letter sent to court saying i couldn't do it. I agree that as a democratic society (?) We need everyday people in court..

[Tessisme]

I was unable to turn up for jury duty selection due to family reasons when I was called. It was a simple process to ask to be excused. The system is fine as it stands.

[Labtastic]

@TwigTheWonderKid

I think this is a dangerous idea. It will inevitably mean that juries become self-selecting and no longer a proper cross-section of society.

Perhaps you'd be better concentrating your efforts on campaigning for better financial support for jurors so that everyone can take part without being financially disadvantaged.

Better financial support is a much better idea for a petition

[Megifer]

This would mean only the monetary privileged would be able to serve on a jury which would then result in only a certain demographic being on a jury, which then renders it unfair.

Your 'friend' would have more support if she petitioned for employers to be obliged to pay full pay, or for people to be fully compensated by the government for loss of earnings.

[DisforDarkChocolate]

I'd sign one in support of it staying.

[DistingusedSocialCommentator]

Its no big deal OP
I have and people I know who just give a reason in writing and they don't go.
Others, but I would not, just ignore the jury serv letter.

A BiL went a few years ago, he loved it and time off work

Opt out, no reason why it can be done as I've met many people that would love to go

I've had 5 call-ups attended on - I'm just over 60 now and the last one inviting me was several years ago. I think I would have gone if it was an easy drive and parking but two were at the old bailiey.

[NigelHarmansNewWife]

@DancefloorAcrobatics

You can only be called up once in your lifetime.
How do you expect anyone get a fair trial, if jury isn't selected randomly?

You can be called for jury service many times, but have the right to say no if you did jury service within the last two years in England and Wales.

Having done jury service a couple of years ago, I am supportive of it and won't be signing this petition. I was on the jury for a difficult, harrowing case. As traumatic as it was, I wouldn't have an issue with doing jury service again.

OP, ask yourself this: what's the alternative and who's to say it would be any better?

There are protections in place for employees called for jury service. If you are self-employed you need to consider the impact on your work if you are called and make provision for this, just as you would for critical illness, etc.

[Deathbyfluffy]

What a load of nonsense.
If you don’t like how the justice system works in this country you’re free to move elsewhere - but being tried by jury is a cornerstone of society and needs to be preserved.

Anyone who signs that petition is an idiot, and I’m sure they’d be the first to moan if they couldn’t have a jury at their own trial.

[twingiraffes]

As has already been pointed out, this is a bad idea, sorry.

[Growlybear83]

@DancefloorAcrobatics

You can only be called up once in your lifetime.
How do you expect anyone get a fair trial, if jury isn't selected randomly?

My husband has been called three times now. He was able to get excused the second time because he was duet observe in the week our baby was due, but he was called again less than a year later.

[snowlady4]

I agree with everyone else. Not a good idea at all. For reasons already stated. What is yoyr friends motivation for this?
Don't you get your wage, plus expenses on jury service in UK?
Also, you haven't actually posted the link to the petition if someone did happen to want to sign it.. is it a real petition or just an idea?

[Growlybear83]

Oops - sorry, I didn't notice the autocorrect. my previous lost should have said my husband was due to serve in the week our baby was due.

[Scottishshortbread11877]

It's your civic duty, you are suggesting people volunteer for jury duty? Can you not foresee the flaws that would cause?

[MenopauseSucks]

I know my work will give full time pay for 10 days & you can negotiate levels of pay after that.
They will help you defer duty as well.

I know it's essentially a lottery but I still don't know why some people get called up umpteen times whilst others not at all.
For example my Dad did it twice whilst still under 60 & he was moving all over the country but my mother never got asked despite living in the same place for decades!

[Dacadactyl]

You can say you can't do it. They don't force you there with a gun to your back.

[donquixotedelamancha]

We consider that this lack of consent challenges the democratic principle that citizens should have a say in the responsibilities imposed on them.

That's not a democratic principle, quite the opposite. Citizens have loads of responsibilies to the state- to obey laws, pay taxes etc.

A nation that imposed no responsibilities on it's citizens would very quickly cease to exist.

[Waffleson]

No I completely disagree. I Was called once but I had no childcare, I provided proof from my son's nursery that they could not offer extra hours, and I was let off. I think the system is good but it would be better if there was better financial support.