jury service but court is 26 miles away, dont drive

pollypenny

jackieblack wrote: »

I agree with everything you've said except the bit in bold.
Any of these people are equally as eligible to be called for Jury Service as you or I.

Richard is saying that guilt is decided by ordinary members of the public - not those you highlighted, like the police and the press.

SandC

My boss was deferred once and was called up again within a year as he had supplied dates which were better. He got deferred on the basis of business requirements, so they consider that too. He never got called in the end and he had to do the thing of ringing each day after 4pm and if his jury number was listed he would have to go in the next day but it never was.

I think this system is quite normal these days, it's a great idea as previously people would have to turn up at court just to be sent home if they weren't required. Every day!

I've never been called but would love to have the opportunity to do it.

jackieblack

pollypenny wrote: »

Richard is saying that guilt is decided by ordinary members of the public - not those you highlighted, like the police and the press.

Yes I know, but the jury could still include a police officer, a tabloid editor etc etc albeit in their capacity as citizens, rather than in their professional role.


When I did Jury Service, the juror sat next to me was an Elvis impersonator, and another member of our jury had a cousin who was a defendant on trial in another courtroom at the same time. In the jury of a case going on in another courtroom they had a serving police officer.


The court I had to go to was about 35 miles away. IIRC the requirement to be there at 9 o'clock was only for the first day, after that we didn't need to be there until 10 o'clock and the train fare was cheaper then.

mumof3mk

hiya all, sorry for not gwetting back soon, poxy chest infection has attacked me once again and been feeling like poop for couple days now.

well, i filled out the paperwork and enclosed a covering letter to be excused from jury service, so now its a waiting game, to see if i am excused or wheather they will insist me still travelling all that way.
so many replies, and helpsfulness, thankyou #

Richard53

jackieblack wrote: »

I agree with everything you've said except the bit in bold.
Any of these people are equally as eligible to be called for Jury Service as you or I.

Sorry, I was slightly unclear. I meant that we are judged by a jury of people like ourselves, not by the police etc. instead of a jury. Of course policemen and women, politicians, journalists and so on can be members of a jury (and so they should be, if the jury is to be representative). But they are only one of twelve, and have no more influence on the verdict than the window cleaner or pensioner in the next seat. I was drawing a comparison with countries or times in history when guilt or innocence was decided by the police themselves, or a Party committee, or a Star Chamber, or Matthew Hopkins the Witchfinder General. Hope that makes it clearer, and sorry for any confusion.

jackyann

Also, people with mental health issues need to be among those called. Of course, if you are really unwell, or your judgement is impaired, then you should not be sitting at that time.
But people who have experienced mental illness, just like those who have other life experiences, have a huge amount to offer. That's why we have 12 people whose experiences and influences should all differ.
I too am grateful for the jury system, but have never been picked.

skea56

I completed jury service about 2 years ago,fortunately at my local court about 10 miles away.
However there was a young girl there who live approx 50 mile's away. It meant 2 buses and a 4 hour journey time each way. And even wheb she would arrive at the bus station,either a taxi or a 20 min walk would be required to get her to the court. another juror did offer to meet her off the first bus in the morn so at least she could be there in time.
She explained this to the judge and was excused immediately.

Another note, on the case I was called up on,out of 15 jurors (12+3alternates) myself and one other woman lived locally within 10 miles. Most were all at least 40-50 miles away...less chance of familiarity with the people or places involved in the case.

Hth

Sk56