OT Jury service. At 75? Are they serious?

I found all the salient points were repeated so often you didn't need a particularly good memory - or indeed have to concentrate hard all the time.

I was surprised that there didn't seem to be a process for checking whether jurors knew *anyone* on the case that they had been assigned to. They check that you don't know the defendant. I can't remember being asked whether I knew any of the lawyers or the judge. But I was expecting that jurors would also be shown a list of witnesses and have to say "I know her".

No, it was the person who chose the jury (Clerk of the Court?) who didn't choose me - twice. Purely by chance, I'm sure. They were both viable cases that hadn't been cancelled by a guilty plea at the last minute.

I've always thought that it was a bit of a cop-out that if someone pleads guilty, all the details of the evidence and the offence goes unreported.

There seems to be a trend amongst those I know to call "seniors".

I don't recall people being called when I was working.

I wonder if they are getting the ones who are:

(a) Presumably available most of the time (b) Towards the end of their qualification span

to try and make jury selection less of a problem to the workers.

Anyway I haven't been called so far.

I assume the odds are that if you are called then you will be called at a random age.

Cheers

Dave R

In my case, the Clerk of the Court (or whomever) had a big pack of cards with our names on. She shuffled it and picked 15 names, then called us all. One was missing so she drew another card.

In the court, she shuffled again and drew 12. We were all asked if we knew the defendant, or had dealings with companies X and Y, etc. One did, so they were sent away and she drew one of the three remaining cards. Then we all sat down and were sworn in.

retire at 70).

I never got a free lunch, you had to pay for it but I took my own.

yeah all that blood and knives scattered around you;d have thought they'd c lean it all up before taking a photo wouldn't you ;-)

As for money I might have made a small profit for teh two weeks but some on other case lost out badley. On one the juror owned and drove his own black cab and the case he was on l asted over 4 weeks and he was allocated two personal guards who follwowed h im everywhere when he wasn't in court. They asked him so where do you think you'll be driving to today. To maintain a black taxi cab, he said the rules were that yuo had to get t he cab checked every 6 weeks and that cost £400 even if they found not hing wrong so he had to make far more money than he got from the courts as compensation for his time in court, but luckily for him he could work eveni ngs and at the weekends.

Wow I'm glad you said that, when I said that when on a jury you judge on the evidence and not whether or not you think the person is guilty or innocent.

She explained that she had two degrees one in english lit. and the other in child psychology and the 'fact' that a guilty or not guilty is the verdict the jury are asked to decide on then you must state what you think as that is what is asked. I said just because you have 2 degrees it doesn't mean you know what you are talkming about, you're talking s*it shut up until you've done jury service. I said once you get another 358 degrees you'll understand the full circle of life.

But I must admit what she said does sound as though it's what you are meant to do is say what you think, but at the start of jury service they make it quite clear that you base your decision on the evidence presented rather than what you think.

One of the lads at work was called up a couple of years ago. He really enjoyed it.

I feel sorry for this lot

What's the difference between a 13A plug and 45A DP switch?

In article , "Dave Plowman (News)" writes

Little Timmie would struggle I fear. He'd have to make a decision yes or no. No sitting on the fence saying not enough facts.

Except maybe in the dock?

Likewise I got called but was just over the age limit which was then 70. Apparently they are not allowed to check so it is purely random. However I did note the calling service was based in London. I would have thought it is something that could be based anywhere in the UK and somewhere a lot cheaper to run it.

Happened to a friend of mine. When the trial finally finished her employer said "We managed without you for 2 years, we can manage without you" and made her redundant.

I'd want serious compensation for what is effectively two years' loss of my lifestyle - no holidays, nothing that takes you away from full time Mon-Fri

Yes, the rights of the defendant should be respected, but so should those of the other participants, especially the jurors who have to be there every day that evidence is presented or witnesses are questioned.

I'd feel very resentful to the court system if that happened to me. I wonder what the legal position is in that case and whether you have any right to redress beyond the few weeks statutory redundancy compensation.

Perhaps apply for sick-leave, from stress of worrying if you've lost your job?

Not sure that is the case. My first jury stint was at the Inner London courts - and they asked for volunteers to go to the Old Bailey for a fraud trial which was likely to last for months. There didn't seem to be a question of forcing anyone to do it.

Nor would the jury sit 9-5 Mon-Fri. There would be times when legal points were discussed when the jury wasn't required. And unless things have changed, it was 10-4.

I thought that the electoral roll, which I believe is the list that they use, had a box which you could tick to say that you were 75 or would become so during the lifetime of that list, in the same way that you can say that someone is 17 but will become 18 (and therefore eligible to vote) some time during the lifetime of the list.

It seems strange to ask a question about eligibility for jury service and then not use it - unless it's because you were "just over" and therefore they didn't know when your birthday was and therefore when you become ineligible.

Except jury nullification is possible ....

you are supposed to declare this yourself on your Electoral Roll entry