Questions about jury service

Zingy

After reading everything I can find I'm still confused about the whole thing.

Firstly, what am I expected to wear? The only clothes I have are jeans and t-shirts, they aren't particularly smart looking either. This is what I wear to work so I have no need for more formal wear.
I can't afford to buy anything new and I think its unfair of them to expect me to buy clothes that I will only wear for a couple of weeks at the most.

Secondly, travel expenses. I plan on going to the park and ride, will they pay the cost of this?

Thirdly, what happens if there is a case I don't feel comfortable in? For example, any type of care home abuse I am going to be bias toward.

Also, what happens if the case is expected to last longer than the 2 weeks? I have an exam 3 weeks after I finish so any extra time will have an impact on this and its not something I feel very happy doing. (I know it sounds like a long time, but when you’re working a minimum of 50 hours a week plus nights its not at all and yes I have started revising for it already and will be taking notes to the court).


Thanks all.

Tropez

Have you looked at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Juryservice/index.htm?

Zingy

Tropez wrote: »

Have you looked at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Juryservice/index.htm?

Yes, but it didn't really answer my questions. Also looked at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Juryservice/index.htm

peachyprice

If it's going to have and adverse effect on your exam have you considered applying for it it be deferred?

Tropez

Zingy wrote: »

Yes, but it didn't really answer my questions. Also looked at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Juryservice/index.htm

Okay.

Well clothes shouldn't matter but you should dress as smartly as you possibly can and avoid anything with loud logos or vulgar phrases (including anything by F.C.U.K.).

As for costs - you can claim the cost of a bus ticket and up to 31.4p per mile for fuel. If you need to claim for parking costs then you will have to receive permission from the court.

As for feeling uncomfortable - you may contact one of the court officers if anything about a case is distressing you. With regards to bias I'm not sure what you mean? A juror's job is to offer a verdict of guilty or not guilty based on the evidence submitted and that's all you need to do unless you're saying, and without wishing to sound harsh, that there are certain crimes where you believe that anyone accused of it must be guilty? In that case I feel you should alert a court official to this too, although be aware that there are potential penalties for anyone deemed not to be taking the legal process seriously or to be in any way influenced in their decision making.

The best advice is just to go with an open mind. Because someone is accused of something it doesn't mean that they're guilty. If it helps, remember Timothy Evans, a man who had even confessed to murder, but in truth was an easily led and simple man. Nobody will know whether he really did do it because he was executed - but the testimony that sent him to the gallows was that of serial killer John Christie. Try not to allow prejudice to blind you but just consider the evidence as it is presented and decide based on that.

kate48

You should be able to ask to postpone jury service because you have an exam to prepare for - is there somewhere on the form you receive to request this? I was called for service in 2003 and was in the middle of preparing to go to a conference to present a paper. I was called up again a few months later though.

As for what to wear, it shouldn't really be a problem - you're not the one being judged! And the court should pay travel expenses; I remember that you have to declare expected parking expenses before you start (this was in Stoke, not sure if it applies to all courts).

Sorry for being a bit vague - it was a long time ago, but I think you at least have a good case for requesting a postponement.

babyb06

You can wear whatever you want - some people go 'suited & booted' others wear jeans, others tracksuits - it is a jury made up of a cross section of society - they expect people to be different so don't worry about clothes!

In jury selection they will ask you questions about whether you are able to commit to a longer period of time for say a murder or fraud trial, you can say no, you are not obliged to stay longer if it affects on your family/work/exams.

Alternatively, if you think it will impact on your studies you can ask for your jury service to be postponed and the court service will consider the reasons given and either accept or reject your request - if it is the first time you are asking for postponement you should get it and you'll be asked to come again in say 6 months time.

Hope that helps!

McKneff

You have to pay your own bus fares etc and they reimburse you either weekly or at the end of your service.

You also claim a daily meal allowance, depending on how long you spend per day.

you also claim loss of earnings up to a daily limit.

Like the other poster says, defo go with an open mind.
Ive ben twice and it was extremely interesing to experience the court system.

Please try not to wear jeans, couple of quid will get you some trousers from a charity shop or £1 from a car boot sale.
Just relax and go with the flow.

Cornish_piskie

Hi Zingy - I felt very confused too before I did jury service, but having done it, I would do it again tomorrow!

Firstly, your question regarding clothing - jeans and t-shirt are fine (certainly two of the jurors on 'my' jury wore this attire). Comfort is key as you will be sitting around for long periods.:o

I used the park and ride as it was more convenient and cheaper than parking in the Court car park or nearby NCP. However, you should note that if you are on a public transport route you are expected to use that. They will pay mileage for personal car allowance but you have to state the reason why you can't use public transport (mine was that I had to first drop my children to school and nursery).

The question of feeling uncomfortable about the possible subject matter is a toughy. As a mum, I was incredibly worried that I would be sitting on a jury dealing with a crime against children case - I remember saying that I would just refuse to do it! Sod's law that was exactly the case I was on jury duty for - the judge stated that we couldn't drop out just because we felt 'uncomfortable' - if he was to excuse anyone it would only be under very particular circumstances and the jury member would have to speak to him privately. As it happened, it was at times uncomfortable, distressing and even heart-breaking but I'm glad I didn't cry off.

With regards to your upcoming exam, I would put in for deferred service if I were you. You will simply be called up again - I think within twelve months but not totally sure on that.

County Court cases rarely last more than two weeks and more often than not, juries actually serve for a two week period sitting on several cases. I was lucky and my jury service was for just one case and it lasted two weeks and one day.

I hope this info is helpful

Zingy

Tropez wrote: »

As for feeling uncomfortable - you may contact one of the court officers if anything about a case is distressing you. With regards to bias I'm not sure what you mean?

I've witnessed abuse in a care home and the effect it has on people so I will find it very difficult to go into it with an open mind. I know its wrong of me to think that but its not something I can change.


With regards to postponing it, i've already accepted it so thats out of the question now. My exam date hadn't been released and as I didn't have proof of an exam I didn't think they would accept that as a valid reason for deferral.


I refuse to pay any money for having to do this so buying new clothes is out of the question. I'm going to be down almost £400 as it is so can't afford to spend anything. (The allowances don't cover a full days work and my company wont be paying anything. Because of the hours I work, including nights, I have to give up 2 weeks of work).

Zingy

Cornish_piskie wrote: »

I used the park and ride as it was more convenient and cheaper than parking in the Court car park or nearby NCP. However, you should note that if you are on a public transport route you are expected to use that. They will pay mileage for personal car allowance but you have to state the reason why you can't use public transport (mine was that I had to first drop my children to school and nursery).

The public transport part has confused me slightly. There is a bus I could catch but doing that would mean a 40 minute minimum walk to the court and a journey of well over an hour when it would take me 30 minutes if I drove. Would they really expect me to do this? I have to walk about 30 minutes from the park and ride so its not about being lazy. I don't fancy having to leave my house about 7 and not getting back at 7pm either!