Jury service UK

I was called once at an inconvenient time as I was hand-rearing a newborn puppy but I was eager to go and found it fascinating. It was a train and a bus ride away and took over my life for several weeks. What an eye-opener into the accused and my fellow jurors’ lives!
We tried the several men accused of raping a young girl the age of my daughter. Years ago we found them not guilty because she had said yes, yes, yes then no. It would be different now.

Over 70s can opt out.

Like you handbaghoarder I met a very nice lady on jury service and we kept in touch for a long time after.
I think you should be exempted.
The case I was on included a young woman on our jury, at one point she sent a note to the Judge saying she needed the toilet. The whole trial was stopped we were sent out and it all took about 30 minutes as all the women jurors then decided to use the facilities. I imagine they very much want to avoid this!

It all sounds a bit hit and miss ? I was called in 2008, mid cancer treatment and asked for a deferral, which was for 12 months I was given this but was duly called again within 12 months and served. In February this year I received another summons for later in the Spring. I completed the form online and asked to be excused due to numerous mitigating circumstances, including deteriorating health, and I was discharged. No proof was submitted nor requested by the court As an aside, my previous service lasted 5 weeks, 5 of us still keep in touch and meet up a couple of times a year. One lady became a dear friend. I had coffee with her yesterday.

Grandma70s

I’ve always dreaded being called for jury duty, but now at 85 I think I’m safe. I wonder why some people are keen to do it? I think it would be a nightmare. I intended just to refuse. They couldn’t drag me there kicking and screaming. I might have been charged with contempt of court or something, but it would be worth it.

My son was foreman of a jury when he was 27.

I can’t say I was keen to do it, but I found it very interesting, and found the experience reassuring as regards the justice system, in particular the chances of anyone innocent being found guilty.
The judges of both our cases (neither very harrowing) made a point of telling us that unless we were 100% convinced of guilt, we must return a not-guilty verdict.

Admittedly 2 of our panel had made up their minds almost as soon as they set eyes on one of our defendants and heard the charge - before hearing any of the evidence! - but there was still a 10/2 not-guilty verdict.

I was called in my mid 40s. Fabulous experience. Ended up on a very long trial. Luckily I worked for the CS so wages paid.

So interesting and so many friends made! I am still in contact with some of them.

I'd have loved to do it again but health would exclude me, sadly

I’ve always dreaded being called for jury duty, but now at 85 I think I’m safe. I wonder why some people are keen to do it? I think it would be a nightmare. I intended just to refuse. They couldn’t drag me there kicking and screaming. I might have been charged with contempt of court or something, but it would be worth it.

My son was foreman of a jury when he was 27.

My DH needs the toilet frequently, explained this and was excused. No GP letter required

Hi Katjoy, I too am 73 with cKD3 and a recent cancer diagnosis which was operated on followed by radiotherapy. I was summoned to do jury duty but realised I would find it difficult particularly as the Crown Court is 25 miles away and I no longer drive due to eye problems.
I responded online on the address provided in the letter explaining my decision to not perform my civic duty and received a response in days, saying I was exempt.
Hopefully I'll have the opportunity again as I've always wanted to be on a jury!
Best wishes.

My mum did it and it really upset her.

If you can contact them and explain bd hopefully you’ll get a pass

Mary doll -thank you that’s good to know. I assumed it would be charged like any other letter

Lilikemaho

I have just been in this situation and emailed them and got a quick response as in i was excused and my only excuse was i was 73 and just did not want to do it

Just this. There’s no need to get stressed out worrying about hospital letters, proof of illness, etc. Because you’re over 70 you have an automatic right to choose not to do jury service. There’s a section on the form you’ve received to fill in, and that’s all you need to do.

I’m sure you will be excused once you explain your health conditions, OP.

I have done jury service once, but was excused many years previously on account of having a 3 month old breast-fed baby. My MiL, OTOH, had never been called but would have loved to do it!

Jurors are picked at random from the electoral role. And random really is the word for it. Many years ago a friend had been called for jury service twice, and been on a jury each time before she was 25.

I have been selected twice, within 2 or 3 years when in my 50s, and served once. DH has never been called, neither have either of my DC, both now in their 50s.

crazyH

I always wanted to be on jury duty, but was never asked

Me too !!
I've had a mortgage since 1986 and paid taxes since 1971. So I'm "on the system".
I'm 71 now so I can refuse on grounds of age IF they ever ask me.
Makes you think.........
😉😉😉😒😊

Mouse

I was recently called for jury service and asked to be excused on health grounds. They agreed to excuse me dnd said doctors letter was unnecessary. Much to my relief as letters are expensive.

I have never been charged for a jury exemption letetr.

Seeing what passes for jury deliberation should be a deterrent to anyone tempted to misbehave.

A very good point Silverbrooks though I think it can work in the accused's favour as well.

On my third stint as a jury member one of the cases was possession of drugs. Some of us were trying to work out if the police evidence was sufficient to convict when a young man sitting next to me said "Why don't you shut up? It's up to the judge to decide if the bloke's guilty or not." Another young man piped up "Drugs should be legalised anyway so we should say he's not guilty." I rest my case.

I was callled for Jury Service at age 74, 2 days after being discharged from hospital after breaking my hip and having a replacement op. I applied to be excused but they told me as the jury service was a few weeks later I could still be called. So then I told them about my 2 recent cancers and my stoma. With a urostomy you don't have any choice when to go as when the bag is full you just have to empty it. The urinary problems got me discharged from jury service.

I have had two call ups and one case, a historic very low level of sexual abuse case.

I’ve received two jury citations since October 2024, the first time my gp gave me a letter to attach to my request to be excused. I received the 2nd citation in January and contacted the court to explain nothing had changed regarding my mobility since October and could they excuse me again. The reply came back to say no without a more recent letter from my gp, which I duly provided and was excused a second time

I was quite sorry that I was never called for jury service. My husband was called and said he found it quite interesting but the only time I got a jury letter was shortly after I had moved house, at the new address. I rang up the court to explain that I was the new owner and also sent the letter on to the previous owners forwarding address which was still in the same area , but never heard whether they still got called up.
Having lived under dictators - Salazar and Assad - I would have been happy to be on a jury.

I received a letter for me to do jury service. I explained that I was waiting for an operation and at the moment needed to use the toilet VERY often, I was excused. I mean you can't halt a trial just because one of the jurors needs a wee, can you

I was recently called for jury service and asked to be excused on health grounds. They agreed to excuse me dnd said doctors letter was unnecessary. Much to my relief as letters are expensive.

Yes.if not get GP to confirm by giving you a letter

Do see your GP , ask him to write a report of your ill health. I did jury service aged 70 and I found it very interesting ( not a distressing case thank goodness) however there is a lot of sitting around and court sessions aotr often long! Get the doctor's report asap and let the court know. You might also consider contacting the court prior to receiving the letter from your GP just to warn them . Good luck , you should be ok - don't worry 💐💐