Called on for jury service

techwatcher

Dannydee333 said:

DullGreyGuy said:

What happens on the day? They choose you from more than 12 people, right? Could you potentially get out of it by being disengaged or acting dumb, and then they won't select you?

When I did it they selected 15 people to form a jury panel. The 15 people entered the court and 12 of those were selected. The court official had the 15 names on cards which he/she shuffled. They then read out 12 names and they formed the jury. IIRC correctly they barely looked up, so being disengaged or acting dumb wouldn't have mattered. 

onomatopoeia99

Dannydee333 said:

This has got to be a wind up.   Are you actually serious?

A (criminal) court is where trials are heard and a jury is selected in order to decide if a defendant is guilty or not guilty.

It's a fairly unique and interesting idea that you have, that law-abiding citizens should be exempt. It's probably not the best idea that criminal trials are decided by a criminal-jury, but, hey, it's an idea!!!

As has been mentioned, in the UK, you don't volunteer for jury duty.   It's done by random selection.   Did you seriously not know that?    Hopefully, your employer can pay you whilst you undertake your civic duty.  If not, I believe that the court will pay up to a certain amount.

Yes I'm serious. I dislike the idea that you will be "fined" if you don't do what they tell you to. Also, I'm not excited by the idea of losing over half my earnings for days my employer doesn't pay me (they pay the first week). Excuse me for not jumping for joy about not only being summoned to do something I'd rather not, but losing my income in the process. I have a mortage and other outgoings. What happens if it comes to a point where the 65 quid a day fails to cover all your bills and you would potentially get in trouble for that? Could you get out of it on those grounds?

You may want to seek advice from a trusted friend or family member, because you seem a little overwhelmed.    I believe that you can also contact the court to discuss any concerns that you have. 

I hope that it all goes well

Again, I'd be ok with it if I weren't facing the possibility of losing half my income for days served outside the first week.

You can always explain to the prosecution barrister that you are familiar with the case of Penn and Meade, which is commemorated by a plaque at the Old Bailey, and as such expect to execise your absolute right as a juror to find according to your concsience (this is also known as "jury nullification").

Can't say whether it would work or not though.

Dannydee333

So it starts tomorrow.

My boss assured me last week that if I find myself on a trial lasting several weeks, we'll figure things out so that I don't lose any of my regular income. As I said, my job is flexible and I can do my work in a couple of hours in the evening.

That's why this is the best boss I've ever had. Two years ago, when my mum died, I was still on probation and entitled to only one paid day of leave. If I had been a full-time employee, the entitlement is supposed to be three days.... My boss ensured I didn't lose any money, even though I took two full weeks (and he even offered me more time off).

Anyway, on that basis, I'm actually excited about it now.

Bring it on.