Jury service

[Blue in Munich]

Very similar to my experience.
Spent the first week reading papers and sitting there getting bored stiff, being sent home at various times of the day.
Finally got put on a case, some thicko had stolen a pushbike that had been set up by the local plod for a sting.
Absolute waste of time and money.
How did a case like that get to crown court?????

Because the potential sentence means the defendant is allowed to elect for trial by jury and many do, in the hope that they stand more chance of getting off. It's called playing the system.

I've been called 4 times, must have upset someone (yes, I know it's a long list before someone points it out! ).

I've also seen it from the other side so sadly have a lot less faith in it than some.

 

[chrisd]

What would happen if I, as a self-employed ADI, got called..?
If I had to take 7-8 weeks off I'd have to start the business from scratch again....

I got called and got excused on the grounds that my small business couldn't run without me being there, it was no problem

 

[Imurg]

That's me off the hook then...#phew.!

 

[Smiffy]

Really enjoyed the whole experience though, would like to be called up again.

You stand more chance of this than being called up for Ryder Cup duty

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Done it. Didn't enjoy it. Too much time wasted sitting about and then a couple of cases, much like others, that frankly should never have got to court

 

[c1973]

If it's supposed to be a jury of our peers, ie Joe Public, then shouldn't they let hardened criminals take their place on a jury?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

You stand more chance of this than being called up for Ryder Cup duty

Cheeky barsteward!! Just wait till my short game comes back

ps....happy birthday mate

 

[Andy808]

If it's supposed to be a jury of our peers, ie Joe Public, then shouldn't they let hardened criminals take their place on a jury?

I really hope they never do as I've already got my "get out of jury service" card for a minor indiscretion many years ago.
The reason is they think ex-cons will side with the defendant out of loyalty. To be honest there's more chance of an ex-con wanting to send someone down especially if they think there is any chance they are guilty which is probably the more likely reason for not having them.

 

[pbrown7582]

So - were you found guilty of crimes against fashion, or did you get off on a technicality?

:rofl:


:thup:

 

[6inchcup]

I did it over 25 years ago,got picked for a trial that we got told could last a month,had to tell them if we could do it,i asked my boss who said yes,3 months later we had to make a decision,boss not happy, me well out of pocket as they had a max they would pay,

 

[DCB]

Been called four times now, Fourth time is next week. Only served on one jury and that was enough. Just over two weeks at the High Court It's a series of long days with short periods of action and lots of boredom thrown in for good measure. Hoping that I'm not involved when I go along next week.

 

[SaintHacker]

I got called up a couple of years ago. Self employed at the time so I lost money as they will only pay £60 a day, but I wanted to do it as the criminal justice system interests me. To be honest I wish I had tried to get out of it, in two weeks I had 4 days actually in court.
One thing I will say if you are ever in the dock, try everything you can to make sure your trial doesn't finish on a friday afternoon. Bored fed up jurors who just want to go home = guilty!