Jury Service?

Incisor

melancholly wrote: »

... i've had to be a witness in court. and my feelings on this have become a bit more extreme.

<rant>now being a witness really is inconvenient! i had to give evidence over something where someone was just clearly lying (thankfully i was neutral to the whole thing up until the particular event occured). so i get to take a day off work (no reimbursement for time, just travel), sit there and have the defense pull apart everything i said.... luckily the individual was found guilty. but honestly, trying to avoid jury service is just appalling - it insults all the people in the other parts of the criminal justice system (police, CPS, witness support) by effectively saying that it isn't important. ... </rant>

Hmm, you do know that the jury is there to protect the rights of the defendant as much as for anything else? And that the defence and defendant are just as much insulted [if not more so] by people trying to get out of jury service? And that it is not the job of the jury to convict, but to decide whether to convict.

dmg24

Just a reminder that this is an old thread - the OP is starting Jury Service on Wednesday!

melancholly

Incisor wrote: »

Hmm, you do know that the jury is there to protect the rights of the defendant as much as for anything else? And that the defence and defendant are just as much insulted [if not more so] by people trying to get out of jury service? And that it is not the job of the jury to convict, but to decide whether to convict.

in my position, no, i hadn't thought of the defendent in the situation i was in, since they were just as guilty as they come and their actions made life difficult for me (not to mention the poor person who was the victim), but you're obviously right - my point was that jury service is a really important thing to do for sake of everyone else who has any involvement in it. i was in no way suggesting that the jury's job is to 'convict'.

MrsE_2

briona wrote: »

How is it the Court's problem that you have booked a holiday that you can barely afford?! And if it's booked already, surely it's part paid for (albeit on credit cards)? I don't think it's reasonable that the Court (or society) be held responsible for the way you manage your money...

It strikes me that this is just another excuse to get out of having to do it. There'll probably NEVER be a time in your life when Jury Duty is 'convenient' but suggesting that "those on benefits who have more time on their hands" do YOUR civil duty so that you can afford your expensive holidays is unbelievable.

There are people out there with genuine reasons for not being able to make Jury Duty (and, admittedly being 8 months pregnant is one of them), but potential loss of income which may impact on your ability to afford an expensive holiday is not one of them.

Rant over...

Briona

Actually I can afford it & not on credit cards either, Miss jump-to-conclusions!!!!
All that was paid was a £200 deposit, the balance of £2k had to be paid.
I had paid a deposit, booked the time off work, I think I was entitiled to be concerned about my holiday.

MrsE_2

Incisor wrote: »

Nah, poster has finances in some sort of balance, and the jury service puts that out of kilter. Why should everyone have to keep a stash in hand just to sub for jury service?

Thank you;)

Its only been about 18 years since I was last asked, my older sister has never been asked.

surreysaver

scbk wrote: »

£60 is a very healthy sum of money for the chance to do something completely different for once (you probably won't get this oppertunity again), and IMO it is also your duty to society, being a british citizen.


I don't get paid for giving blood......

Giving blood only takes one hour (two if you include travelling time).

kr15snw

To finish the story mine has been moved to Nov 3rd But I have no choice about attending this one.

I told my new boss (starting job over the summer) and she laughed and said 'rather you than me! Ill sort it'

So yay, it all worked out

dmg24

Glad to hear that it worked out for you kr15snw ... good luck with your new job! x