Discussion
A few weeks ago I got summonsed for jury service for the first time. The "invite" said that it normally lasts for 2 weeks.
It's a shame that they waited until I'm retired from work but I have no reason to try to duck out of my civic duty.
Now, with less than 2 weeks to go until the start of the jury service, I've got a letter saying that they are looking for people to serve on the jury of a trial estimated to last 8 weeks.
An additional 6 weeks of it is not appealing or convenient but those aren't acceptable reasons to get out of the extra time.
The letter gives example of acceptable 'excuses', such as booked holiday, hospital inpatient, family going in hospital, long term medical treatment, child care problems, and work issues.
I can offer none of those excuses. I'm retired and I'm bloody busy! It's not as though I'd be swapping work time for jury time; all my time is my own, I've earned it!
Any advice on the sort of things to say to get out of the long trial (I'm happy to do my 2 weeks service) or am I doomed, doomed?
It's a shame that they waited until I'm retired from work but I have no reason to try to duck out of my civic duty.
Now, with less than 2 weeks to go until the start of the jury service, I've got a letter saying that they are looking for people to serve on the jury of a trial estimated to last 8 weeks.
An additional 6 weeks of it is not appealing or convenient but those aren't acceptable reasons to get out of the extra time.
The letter gives example of acceptable 'excuses', such as booked holiday, hospital inpatient, family going in hospital, long term medical treatment, child care problems, and work issues.
I can offer none of those excuses. I'm retired and I'm bloody busy! It's not as though I'd be swapping work time for jury time; all my time is my own, I've earned it!
Any advice on the sort of things to say to get out of the long trial (I'm happy to do my 2 weeks service) or am I doomed, doomed?
357RS said:
A few weeks ago I got summonsed for jury service for the first time. The "invite" said that it normally lasts for 2 weeks.
It's a shame that they waited until I'm retired from work but I have no reason to try to duck out of my civic duty.
Now, with less than 2 weeks to go until the start of the jury service, I've got a letter saying that they are looking for people to serve on the jury of a trial estimated to last 8 weeks.
An additional 6 weeks of it is not appealing or convenient but those aren't acceptable reasons to get out of the extra time.
The letter gives example of acceptable 'excuses', such as booked holiday, hospital inpatient, family going in hospital, long term medical treatment, child care problems, and work issues.
I can offer none of those excuses. I'm retired and I'm bloody busy! It's not as though I'd be swapping work time for jury time; all my time is my own, I've earned it!
Any advice on the sort of things to say to get out of the long trial (I'm happy to do my 2 weeks service) or am I doomed, doomed?
Do you have any grandchildren? Childcare provision possibly.It's a shame that they waited until I'm retired from work but I have no reason to try to duck out of my civic duty.
Now, with less than 2 weeks to go until the start of the jury service, I've got a letter saying that they are looking for people to serve on the jury of a trial estimated to last 8 weeks.
An additional 6 weeks of it is not appealing or convenient but those aren't acceptable reasons to get out of the extra time.
The letter gives example of acceptable 'excuses', such as booked holiday, hospital inpatient, family going in hospital, long term medical treatment, child care problems, and work issues.
I can offer none of those excuses. I'm retired and I'm bloody busy! It's not as though I'd be swapping work time for jury time; all my time is my own, I've earned it!
Any advice on the sort of things to say to get out of the long trial (I'm happy to do my 2 weeks service) or am I doomed, doomed?
Maybe your age has given you a weak bladder needing hourly toilet breaks. Or trouble concentrating or remembering things. Or maybe you're a bit racist. Or maybe you'll think they're doing a tough job and will definitely help them by finding people guilty. etc etc.
It can't exactly be hard to make yourself unwanted in the jury box surely. Though just bear in mind if you do it you're dumping it on someone else who may be losing out on income or be far less able to cope with this interruption than you would have been as a retired bloke with nothing but time on his hands.
It can't exactly be hard to make yourself unwanted in the jury box surely. Though just bear in mind if you do it you're dumping it on someone else who may be losing out on income or be far less able to cope with this interruption than you would have been as a retired bloke with nothing but time on his hands.
I was called for jury service and several questions came to light. They pay, but only at the end of the trial.
In my case fares came to approx £10 per day - almost my wife's weekly pension.
By train ,I'd need a taxi at the far end, to and fro ,as I couldn't walk the distance. By bus I'd be sitting for a lengthy period and need a considerable walk to make a connection( not possible in my medical condition). Taxis would not be paid for.
Then there was sitting for the estimated periods- unsuitable for me.
Not acceptable for me said central office, and suggested I put in to be excused.
In my case fares came to approx £10 per day - almost my wife's weekly pension.
By train ,I'd need a taxi at the far end, to and fro ,as I couldn't walk the distance. By bus I'd be sitting for a lengthy period and need a considerable walk to make a connection( not possible in my medical condition). Taxis would not be paid for.
Then there was sitting for the estimated periods- unsuitable for me.
Not acceptable for me said central office, and suggested I put in to be excused.
I worked on a case that lasted 18 months, the easiest way out is prior to the start of the trial as you are about to be sworn in find out the name of the defendent and let the jury usher know that you think you have met the defendent socially (pub, works do, football whatever) and you will end up on another case probably a short one.
Failing that just do it, you will probably find it fascinating and if you can show loss it used to be up to £66 per day reimbursement and mileage determined by engine size, it's probably changed now but you will get something
Failing that just do it, you will probably find it fascinating and if you can show loss it used to be up to £66 per day reimbursement and mileage determined by engine size, it's probably changed now but you will get something
Some classic PH replies amongst the more useful ones.
I've written to the court outlining my case but, since I will not tell porkies, I expect to get an 8 week sentence.
I suppose that I could use one or more of the suggested ruses to avoid serving but that also seems wrong to me, however inconvenient actually being selected will be.
I'll just act normally - maybe that will be sufficient and someone will object to me!
Must remember to blow my nose on a little black hanky . . . . .
I won't lose any income so I'll get no reimbursement. I'll only get a card to spend up to £5 odd in the court canteen and my bus fare. If I take the car parking fees have to be pre-approved by the court so the bus is easier.
I've written to the court outlining my case but, since I will not tell porkies, I expect to get an 8 week sentence.
I suppose that I could use one or more of the suggested ruses to avoid serving but that also seems wrong to me, however inconvenient actually being selected will be.
I'll just act normally - maybe that will be sufficient and someone will object to me!
Must remember to blow my nose on a little black hanky . . . . .
I won't lose any income so I'll get no reimbursement. I'll only get a card to spend up to £5 odd in the court canteen and my bus fare. If I take the car parking fees have to be pre-approved by the court so the bus is easier.
I was called in a couple of years ago. The usher took the jurors into the court and the defendant was brought in. It turned out he lived in my road, though I didn't know him. I mentioned this to the usher who relayed it to the Judge.
The Judge spoke to me, I cupped my hand to my ears and said ' I sorry, I didn't hear you"
"Are you hard of hearing?" Judge said.
"Yes Your Honour" I said.
"Juror dismissed"
Zoom - gone....
The Judge spoke to me, I cupped my hand to my ears and said ' I sorry, I didn't hear you"
"Are you hard of hearing?" Judge said.
"Yes Your Honour" I said.
"Juror dismissed"
Zoom - gone....
BlackLabel said:
So racists, sexists, homophobes, antisemites etc (all unpleasant, undesirable yet completely legal character traits) aren't eligible for Jury duty? That must be a fair chunk of the adult population.
If you're the defence solicitor and you're defending an asian bloke or a black guy, would you want a white racist on the jury? There is absolutely no way I'd be getting involved in sitting on a jury for a 3 month trial. I think I'd suddenly remember having met the defendant before...
Wear a nice suit and tie, preferably old school colours and the defence barrister will do the rest for you.
That said I was called ten or so years ago and was not chosen to sit on the jury for the cases heard over those two weeks and wish I had chance to see the legal system in operation without the implications
Regards
That said I was called ten or so years ago and was not chosen to sit on the jury for the cases heard over those two weeks and wish I had chance to see the legal system in operation without the implications
Regards
Cooperman said:
Apparently I'm now too old to serve, but I was never asked and I always wanted to experience being a jury member.
Seems a bit ageist. I know lots of people over 70 that I would happily like to see on a jury. Life experience, knowledge, etc. If you are allowed to work, why can't you serve on a jury?Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff