Jury Duty - anyone done it?
Discussion
I've just been summoned for Jury Duty (FFS) in the new year, as if I wasn't busy enough!
Has anyone else done it? What were your experiences like? Putting a positive spin on it, it might be quite interesting to view the process and see what happens, but I'm a little apprehensive that on the guidance leaflet it says that it normally lasts 2 weeks!
Has anyone else done it? What were your experiences like? Putting a positive spin on it, it might be quite interesting to view the process and see what happens, but I'm a little apprehensive that on the guidance leaflet it says that it normally lasts 2 weeks!
It's been discussed a few times over the years : http://www.pistonheads.com/search?SearchText=jury+...
http://www.pistonheads.com/search?SearchText=jury+...
http://www.pistonheads.com/search?SearchText=jury+...
I did it, got the letter about 2 weeks after my 18th Birthday. This was 11 years ago. Basically I came home from University for two weeks, and got a few quid for expenses.
It was really quite interesting, however I couldn't imagine doing now as a self employed person.
You probably won't end up doing two weeks though. They just pick a people as and when cases come up. Depending on a few factors, you could either be at there for 10 days doing nothing and then sent home, or catch a Fraud case on your last day and be stuck with it for another 6 weeks. Bit of a lottery.
It was really quite interesting, however I couldn't imagine doing now as a self employed person.
You probably won't end up doing two weeks though. They just pick a people as and when cases come up. Depending on a few factors, you could either be at there for 10 days doing nothing and then sent home, or catch a Fraud case on your last day and be stuck with it for another 6 weeks. Bit of a lottery.
Got called up last year.
Ended up not sitting on a single case.
First day, everyone arrived, was briefed etc. then waiting around to see if we're needed for a case. Lot of sitting around (take plenty to do / read), break for lunch, more sitting around, told not needed today, go home early.
Second day, more of the above, told wouldn't be needed tomorrow, given a number to ring to see if I was needed the next day. The automated message said I might be needed so turned up again. More sitting around, eventually summoned to the court room.... only to receive a apology from the judge that we would sit on any cases and a bit of explanation as to what had gone on. No longer needed / released & back at work the following week.
Ended up not sitting on a single case.
First day, everyone arrived, was briefed etc. then waiting around to see if we're needed for a case. Lot of sitting around (take plenty to do / read), break for lunch, more sitting around, told not needed today, go home early.
Second day, more of the above, told wouldn't be needed tomorrow, given a number to ring to see if I was needed the next day. The automated message said I might be needed so turned up again. More sitting around, eventually summoned to the court room.... only to receive a apology from the judge that we would sit on any cases and a bit of explanation as to what had gone on. No longer needed / released & back at work the following week.
I did it last summer, though I only ended up doing 3 days (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of the first week), then the case collapsed and they didn't need people for the next week so we got to go home.
There's a lot of sitting around doing nothing in the jury room, but it's quite interesting to see how the court system works etc. I was in the middle of doing a law degree at the time, so I suppose it might have seemed more interesting/relevant to me than to the average person who just wants it over with so they can get back to their normal life.
When I arrived on the Monday, there was one group of jurors who, I believe, were starting their 9th or 10th week of a trial, I suspect their views on jury service may be just a little different!
There's a lot of sitting around doing nothing in the jury room, but it's quite interesting to see how the court system works etc. I was in the middle of doing a law degree at the time, so I suppose it might have seemed more interesting/relevant to me than to the average person who just wants it over with so they can get back to their normal life.
When I arrived on the Monday, there was one group of jurors who, I believe, were starting their 9th or 10th week of a trial, I suspect their views on jury service may be just a little different!
Take a book, playing cards, chess set.
The 1st few days I was kept waiting around, very boring. No phones and stuff allowed. I managed to pal up with a couple of guys, this is where the chess and cards helped.
Once I was allocated a case the process was fascinating. The case I was on was pretty cut and dried a bloke had been found with drugs up his arse.
Police surgeon, several policeman etc testified that drugs were there. Defendant said not, the defence lawyer tried his best to discredit a couple of young inexperienced coppers. DI's just stood there ground and faced him down. Some very big intimidating guys hanging around in the viewing gallery.
I thought it would be unanimously guilty, a couple of jurors felt we should discuss. It got a bit twelve angry men for a while, till the liberals came to there senses.
The 1st few days I was kept waiting around, very boring. No phones and stuff allowed. I managed to pal up with a couple of guys, this is where the chess and cards helped.
Once I was allocated a case the process was fascinating. The case I was on was pretty cut and dried a bloke had been found with drugs up his arse.
Police surgeon, several policeman etc testified that drugs were there. Defendant said not, the defence lawyer tried his best to discredit a couple of young inexperienced coppers. DI's just stood there ground and faced him down. Some very big intimidating guys hanging around in the viewing gallery.
I thought it would be unanimously guilty, a couple of jurors felt we should discuss. It got a bit twelve angry men for a while, till the liberals came to there senses.
It's a few years ago but called on first day to sit on an alleged stabbing case. I was elected foreman of the jury for my sins and it played out like the film 12 angry men. Some jurors were up for "hanging" the accused despite the complete lack of evidence against him. The prosecution case was all hearsay and the witnesses they called were complete morons. The defense solicitor overplayed his hand and called the accused to give evidence when it was completely unnecessary.
However, after 3 days and some nice lunches provided by the court we the jury agreed unanimously on a not guilty verdict.
I am now self employed and would rather not do it again.
However, after 3 days and some nice lunches provided by the court we the jury agreed unanimously on a not guilty verdict.
I am now self employed and would rather not do it again.
Your guys cases are tame, I was on a rape case with lots and lots of video evidence as is the way with the youth today.
I had to sit and watch the video evidence over and over again in court. And the videos of the interviews at the police station. It wasn't pleasant, id have preferred to have been sat in the jury room reading a book for 2 weeks.
Just thinking about it makes me shudder.
The rest of the jury approached it very professionally and they where all lovely people from all walks of life. I don't usually get on with people either.
I had to sit and watch the video evidence over and over again in court. And the videos of the interviews at the police station. It wasn't pleasant, id have preferred to have been sat in the jury room reading a book for 2 weeks.
Just thinking about it makes me shudder.
The rest of the jury approached it very professionally and they where all lovely people from all walks of life. I don't usually get on with people either.
Take a good book and a pack of cards (just in case...)
When I did it they were fine on you having a tablet or a mobile before you were called up.
Most striking thing for me was being in a room with 59 other people who had been called, about 50 of whom appeared to need help remembering how to breath and walk at the same time...
When I did it they were fine on you having a tablet or a mobile before you were called up.
Most striking thing for me was being in a room with 59 other people who had been called, about 50 of whom appeared to need help remembering how to breath and walk at the same time...
I did it a few years ago.
One of the cases was an assault charge. There were a number of prosecution witnesses and one single defence witness, who happened to be a friend of the defendant passing the scene on a bus. After three days we broke for deliberations over lunch. It took longer to get the sandwich order completed than decide guilt.
One of the cases was an assault charge. There were a number of prosecution witnesses and one single defence witness, who happened to be a friend of the defendant passing the scene on a bus. After three days we broke for deliberations over lunch. It took longer to get the sandwich order completed than decide guilt.
I tok a tablet with movies n and my phone for internet. They provided BT wifi in the jury room. Was mostly sitting around chatting or watching my movies.
Had only 1 case took 3 days and discovered that there is a good reason they have 12 people on a jury as at least 2 of ours were idiots. The case involved a girl vs a man abd despite all the evidence these 2 jurors decided to side with the girl because 'shes a girl so it must be all lies' . After 2 days in deliberation the judge acceoted a majority verdict.
All i will say is do it, i enjoyed the experience but be sure to listen to the judge and base your decision on the evidence presented to you. Dint make assumptions or try to guess. Use the facts.
Had only 1 case took 3 days and discovered that there is a good reason they have 12 people on a jury as at least 2 of ours were idiots. The case involved a girl vs a man abd despite all the evidence these 2 jurors decided to side with the girl because 'shes a girl so it must be all lies' . After 2 days in deliberation the judge acceoted a majority verdict.
All i will say is do it, i enjoyed the experience but be sure to listen to the judge and base your decision on the evidence presented to you. Dint make assumptions or try to guess. Use the facts.
CorbynForTheBin said:
ApOrbital said:
Not allowed as ex forces.
Why not allowed? It looks like serving forces are.Done it twice, I find it interesting, certainly better than 2 weeks of work, I ended up on one for six weeks first time round, work were arses and sent a PC home for me to work on at night, I complained and they got a properly officious letter off the courts service
J4CKO said:
Yeah, dont think being ex anything precludes you, I had just left Greater Manchester Police and they were fine with that.
Done it twice, I find it interesting, certainly better than 2 weeks of work, I ended up on one for six weeks first time round, work were arses and sent a PC home for me to work on at night, I complained and they got a properly officious letter off the courts service
You dont even have to be 'Ex' now. When I attended there was a serving police officer in our group. But IIRC she was excused from every case as she was local so knew the officers giving evidence every time.Done it twice, I find it interesting, certainly better than 2 weeks of work, I ended up on one for six weeks first time round, work were arses and sent a PC home for me to work on at night, I complained and they got a properly officious letter off the courts service
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