Ceptik Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Im due to start Jury service on wednesday. Any advice from those who have been there, done that? Aparently, falling asleep is not a wise move.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter richards Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 just keep shouting guilty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptik Posted March 13, 2006 Author Share Posted March 13, 2006 just keep shouting guilty ...and bang my fists on the desks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian R Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 enjoy being paid for doing bugger all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 How do you get picked for this btw? And can you refuse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian R Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 No you can't refuse you are picked at random off the electoral role, once you get to court there is still a chance that you might not be selected. The only time you can refuse is if you happen to know anyone linked to the case. If you get called on a second occassion you can then refuse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markssupra Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 No you can't refuse you are picked at random off the electoral role, once you get to court there is still a chance that you might not be selected. The only time you can refuse is if you happen to know anyone linked to the case. If you get called on a second occassion you can then refuse If its within 1 or 2 years I think, I cant remember now, but after that if you get called again you cant refuse. I had 2 weeks service last july, but had the first week cancelled because of a long case, then the second week only got called for the last 2 days - result. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angarak Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 No you can't refuse... You can't refuse since it is now legally your "public duty" to be a juror, however you can apply for deferral or discretionary excusal. Deferral can only be granted once. I have already had 1 deferral and Im now asking for excusal as I have better things to do with my time like run my own business as opposed to having to drag my arse all the way to Liverpool to give some scouser in a nicked car a guilty verdict. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian R Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 As an employer we are entitled to refuse release for jury service if the employee has already served it once under there current contract of employment IIRC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 I've done it. Was down for two weeks but they only needed me for a week in the end. It was a case of calling a number early in the morning and they tell you if you need to go in. If not, carry on with your normal life. If you have to go in then hope they pick you for a case or it gets boring. Take something to read! I had a case with a psycho woman who glassed another woman in a pub and claimed she didn't mean to do it. What a load of crap. Needless to say we sent her down. I voluntered to be head jurer for the hell of it so I got to be the one who said "GUILTY!" It was a pain trying to convince the two or three people that kept trying to give her the benefit of the doubt against the plain facts. Sat in a room for 3-4 hours talking about it all. Make notes. Enjoy the free tea and biscuits Weird bit was coming out afterwards and all the family and people involved were just wandering around outside. I scuttled off quick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnK Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 It was a pain trying to convince the two or three people that kept trying to give her the benefit of the doubt against the plain facts. Damm do gooders! Bane of this land Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSZ Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Take plenty to read!!!! And watch out for the 'self-appointed foreman' i.e. knob!! It can be quite interesting - it all depends on the case really mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VELOCITY Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 I got called to do jury service but told a white lie and said I have a criminel record so I did not feel I would be a suitable candidate!!! Have not heard back from them sinc and this was 3 years ago!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Take plenty to read!!!! And watch out for the 'self-appointed foreman' i.e. knob!! Me you mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angarak Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 As a juror, you must either take an oath on a holy book or must affirm. If your not religious I guess the only option is affirmation whereby you declare you will faithfully try the defendant. I guess you could refuse to faithfully try the defendant...I'd like to be a fly on the wall to hear what the judge has to say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 As a juror, you must either take an oath on a holy book or must affirm. If your not religious I guess the only option is affirmation whereby you declare you will faithfully try the defendant. I did it a couple of years ago. When it came to the oath, I guessed that most people would be like me, not want to swear an the bible so I opted for affirmation. When it came to it, I was the only one to do this and the rest went with the bible ! I felt a bit like a devil worshiper Was really interesting though, heard two cases, the first was a guy who had molested a mentally ill man at a hospital, it was obvious (IMO) he did it cos the molestee ! was like a little kid and I'm 100% sure wouldn't make it up. TBH he didn't think anything about it, it was his carers that brought the case. Anyway he couldn't tell the date or time of the offence so they let the guy off scot free - sad really, but at least the man who was molested wasn't fussed. As the case was abandoned we heard another, a guy beats up another (badly) and the CPS put it up, but 11 of us thought he had undue provocation (all except one do-gooder) and we found him NG. The judge didn't seem to agree with us on his summing up, but we ruled In interesting experience, plus if you self employed you can get fairly good expenses for your time (depending on your company details). PS Remember not to take your phone into the room when you are deliberating.. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 If I get called up I will try the "I'm prejudiced against all races and religions" approach Cos I am Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptik Posted March 14, 2006 Author Share Posted March 14, 2006 Some good advice there. Im taking mental notes down. Oh, another thing - what's the dress code? Im guessing suit, shirt, tie combo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I don't understand why people don't want to do it. It's a fascinating insight into the judicial system and also people in general. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I had to go to court a couple of month ago with college. Well worth a visit, like Pete says quite an eye opener. Lots of sitting around but worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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