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.

Completely agree. Of all the things to start a petition about your friend chose this?

I think everyone needs to do it if possible. But the financial compensation needs to be better.

My husband is self employed and he were called up for a longish period at the moment we would not be able to pay our bills.

It's easy to say 'make provisions', but if the money isn't there it just isn't there.

How do you ensure a representative cross section of society on a jury if only people volunteering are called to do it? You've already then got a jury with a particular sway.

It's a right for anyone in the country to be tried by a representative jury of their peers, I would argue that by making it voluntary you are causing the infringement on someone's rights.

Nope. I won’t be signing.

The only thing I’d sign would be for an increase to the amount of remuneration jurors can claim.

The jury system is essential for fair and democratic justice.

No. It's a stupid idea. For all the reasons already given.

Dance flooracrobatics I have been called twice as well .Both times was excused due to health/caring issues

Seems your “friend” is wasting their time and effort. Maybe put it into something more sensible?

Yes it’s a civic duty. We have so few civic duties and responsibilities, if you want to live in a democratic society you must play your part.

Agree

That's not true. You can be called loads of times. I had to do a grisly murder trial and as a reward, we were told we could guarantee not to be called for the next five years. One man on the jury was self employed and scared he'd lose his livelihood as all his regular clients had to find a replacement for the weeks we were stuck on the trial. he could barely even speak English -it was a complete waste of his time - and he told me he didn;t understand a word in court as everyone spoke too quickly or with accents, so he would just agree with whatever we decided.

The system needs overhauling. At very least jurors need better compensation, realistic timing (we were told 10 days - it dragged on for about 2 months!) I lost a very lucrative freelance contract, a musician on the jury lost out on several West End jobs as she couldn't audition. And the case was harrowing - I had nightmares for a long time, but there wasn't a shred of support.

This is one of the worst ideas I have ever heard.

I take it you have never lived anywhere with corrupt justice system.

Being inconvenienced by being on a jury is an incredibly small price to pay for living in a country where you are entitled to a trial by a jury of your peers.

Why doesn't your mate emigrate to a country where people are just tossed in jail?

This.
Jurors should receive full pay while they are on duty. Either by their employers or the government.

It’s staggeringly entitled isn’t it. I despair at how little so many people are willing to offer society yet they expect so much in return.

Absolutely not. I would support an update to financial support, laws re employer support for jury duty etc as needed to reflect modern day costs, as others have already said.

but to be tried by a jury of your peers is one of the foundational tenets of our justice system and not one I would ever want to do away with. For the system to work it needs to be a cross section of society, not just those who want to do it.

No, op. Lol.

Disagree. If it was voluntary, juries would be made up of "frequent fliers" who like doing it, instead of a cross-section of society. And there's no reason why the inconvenience should be so stressful that it causes people to make bad decisions.

Thankfully only 27 people have signed so far.

Can you imagine the calibre of people who would put themselves forward if it was just left to volunteers? Frightening!

@happyharpist flights to El Salvador are only £500 and if she moved there she would be very happy indeed as they don't so much bother with trials.

And if you do get a trial they can do nine hundred people at once so it's very efficient.

She would love it! ❤️ 🇸🇻 Living the dream.

I've been called four times, deferred once (just started a new job), then served twice and excused twice (8 months pregnant and Covid). It's 100% part of the fabric of our society, important that we all step up and play a part even though yes, of course it's inconvenient (and horrible in the two cases I sat on!) but in my experience the system is reasonable and will absolutely grant clemency to those who really need it, so no need for this.

Also, if it was voluntary to get out of it, why would any employer let a worker go to do it?

I really don't want juries to be made up only of people who really want to serve on juries!!

I couldn't agree more , can you imagine the type of people who would volunteer .

Agree w everyone saying better support and compensation for lost earning is needed. But it’s a terrible idea to do away w trial by jury.

I am always wary of any post where the OP states something controversial and then never posts again. This is clearly a bit of baiting.

This isn’t true. I have been called up 3 times.

Yes, it impacts your life - for a short period of time, but it is minimal.