Jury Service

[Mrs Puggit]

I received a summons for Jury Service last night.

My Boss is saying that the company can't spare me for 10 days.

I'm part of a 3 man team, 1 member is leaving the week before my service (so we're all ready at 66% strength) My job requires specialist knowledge of the software we produce & so can not be covered by a contractor. My Boss has written a letter explaining this.

Does anyone know if this is a good enough reason to be excused?

(I was quite looking forward to it myself! )

[Plotloss]

To be honest, probably not.

My boss has just come back off 3 weeks service and in the selection room they stopped someone going away for a business meeting, technical seminar and even someone who was being married in St Lucia...

[pdV6]

I know of people who have used this excuse and its worked. Expect, however, to be called again fairly soon.

[Nevin]

It could well be, it depends on the mood of the person looking at your excuse on any particular day though.

I'm in the fortunate position of not being able to be called up for jury service (and trust me, it may sound like an interesting thing to do but the things you hear can be very traumatic indeed). However, the best way to be excused is to turn up in a very smart suit with a copy of that day's FT under your arm. Both sides usually try and get rid of intelligent looking jurors, as they often have sufficient persuasive powers to swing the jury one way or another and understand all the evidence being given, which is often not a good thing.

[Dick Dastardly]

What's the likelyhood of being called for Jury service? I don't think I know anyone who's ever had to do it

[Plotloss]

Dick Dastardly said:

What's the likelyhood of being called for Jury service? I don't think I know anyone who's ever had to do it

Number of eligible people/number required.

Its completely random and picked by computer by all accounts...

[JamieBeeston]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Was going to say exactly the same, whilst in the process, just make sure to be heard to make some comment that the PC brigade wont like.

Your 'really' looking forward to the trial, and hope its some pikey scum, or you hate the poor as they have no morals, As far as your concerned, all 'non british' need to be taught a lesson.

They will have you out of there quicker than Gordon Brown can tax you.


Tho, do remember, we DO need people to sit on juries ... so only use the above if you NEED to get off.

[LRdriver II]

Or, like in the states, tell them your are a racist..you also get dropped..

[Nevin]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yeah, that can work too.

In theory, everyone has an equal chance of being called for jury service.

[pdV6]

Of course, once you've been called and have served, you're more likely to get called again, as they only take "experienced" jurors for the bigger cases.

[mel]

Turn up on day one get a case and then let it slip you know the defendant, not well but you've met them a few times when out walking the dog or something and know them to say hello to, get sent home bloody quickly, however if its a short case you may be told to come back for the next one and it doesn't often work twice.

[Incorrigible]

Start the letter...

As a member of the Jedi council ...

It does annoy me that small bussiness has to stick to the same rules as big bussiness, how is a company with 3 people meant to deal with situations like this or maternity allowance etc

[motco]

In my experience (fair time ago) if you get rejected for one trial you'll be on standby for others for a couple or three weeks. I spent a great deal of time sitting in the public gallery of the magistrates court; and THAT'S another story.

[Apache]

Am I right in assuming you have to have an exemplary record meaning that if you have points on your licence you can't do it?

[mattl]

Tell them it clashes awfully with your next KKK meeting and it was your turn to light the cross!!or you are doing a march for the National Front that day!!!!!!

Alernatively turn up in DM boots and the word Nazi tattooed on your forehead!!

[Fatboy]

LRdriver II said:

Or, like in the states, tell them your are a racist..you also get dropped..

To quote Homer Simpson:

'The trick about getting out of Jury service is to tell them you are predjudiced against all races'



I've got out of Jury service before - just got my supervisor to write me a letter saying I was too busy (this was after I went into college and went ballistic at them for putting my name on the electoral role without asking me, and telling them to sort it out )

[Mrs Puggit]

Thanks for all the replies!

In answer to some of the questions the official list of who can be excused is:
A person on Bail or if you've ever "done time"
Mental disorders
Member of Judiciary
Memer of Clergy
Member of Parliament (either house!)
MEP
Medical professional
The Armed Forces
Insuficient understanding of English Language

Then we remembered (how can I forget) I'm about to be diagnosed with a sleep disorder which affects my ability to stay awake during the day (& yes it is v. embarrassing at work, but thankfully they are very understandable!) Don't think having to waken Juror no. 5 would be good for a trial!

PS always wanted to use lots of smilies!

[planetdave]

Incorrigible said:

Start the letter... As a member of the Jedi council ... It does annoy me that small bussiness has to stick to the same rules as big bussiness, how is a company with 3 people meant to deal with situations like this or maternity allowance etc

I got out of jury service once by explaining about being self employed and being absent for two weeks would certainly cause me to become unemployed.

But it was a struggle.

Apparently my ex brother in law got off by phoning them up and saying he was going to the 1990 World Cup, the bod at the other end being a footy fan, let him off.