Jury service

Mollie - it won't be you who stands in judgment - that's the role of the judge, not the juror!

I don't know if I will have to do jury service at some point.
I was called 4 times when I lived in London and I got called again in Birmingham.
I phoned and said I thought this was a bit unreasonable as some people never get called.
They did say I could be called once every 2 years but they have deferred it.

Frank

Vegasmags ... Technically but as a juror I will still have to decide guilty or not. I have no faith in the legal profession nor the police force so how can I possibly know the truth and make a fair and honest decision?

There are exclusions - but its considered a duty of our society - can be a bit inconvenient but we should all be willing to do it.

You won't be standing in judgment. You will be listening to the evidence, and, then, after the judge has summed up, and advised you on the law, you, with eleven others will decide if there is enough evidence to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Sentencing is a matter for the judge.

Most people who are called for jury duty never actually sit on a jury for one reason or another. They are not chosen, they are chosen but the defence object to them for some reason or another or the trial goes down because of a guilty plea or some other reason. So, hopefully, you will have nothing to do except sit around - I suggest you take a good book

I was a juror and did feel I was having to decide guilty/not guilty. The judge told us the points we should consider but did not really indicate which way we should go.

Several of us were rather upset by the experience and asked for a letter to be sent telling us what sentence was imposed.

I found it to be a very rewarding experience. I was impressed with the care and seriousness that all my fellow jurors gave to discussing and deciding. I feel that in a democratic society we each have a responsibilty to undertake our civic duties and make our contribution to society. Much of our role might be to protect the innocent if we feel that the police and prosecutors are overstepping the mark.

MiceElf, I'll be judging the evidence and deciding guilty or not. Of course I won't be passing sentence. I know I'll be one of a dozen but that might not be simple either. I just not want to do it, nothing to do with my time or inconvenience or work. I don't want to do it. I must have some rights?

It is very hard to be excused jury service. I know someone who was excused as he suffered with depression and anxiety but it was very hard for him to get excused. It involved doctors' letters, proof etc.

Like jam jam I found it to be interesting and I felt that it was right to do my duty as a juror. Decisions are made on the facts and evidence, and in all 3 the cases I was involved in, I had no doubt of the person's guilt, based on what was before us. Of course it wasn't a foregone conclusion, we deliberated for hours. Dare I say, I enjoyed being a juror.

KatyK

I may have been excused as detailed above as I just found the letter dated November 2009.

Frank

I was called at a very busy time in the college year and my boss asked for me to be excused. I also explained that I was a local councillor in a ward where I was pretty well known to the righteous and unrighteous alike.

We do have rights, but we all have duties as citizens, to uphold the law and to serve on a jury if summonsed. There are very few exceptions; this is to ensure that juries are balanced and representative of the whole of the people.

MiceElf

I agree with what you are saying.
I don't think people should be called an unreasonable number of times.
I know somebody else who object. He had been called 7 times.
This was in 4 different areas.

Frank

I was excused once when I was pregnant. Long time ago and a different area but I'm the only one in the whole of my family to be called so its a bit of a lottery. That word duty is contentious ... In an ideal world I'd agree but not any more. I've paid my taxes, lived within the rules, supported myself and my family so I've not been a burden to society. In this one thing I'd like to opt out ...

Mollie, the most important duty of a citizen, above all the other worthy things one may do in life, serving on a jury when chosen is the most important.

If you or any of your family were on trial for anything the first thing you would want to know is that the jury chosen to reach a decision on you or your family were a proper representation of all society. If all those who didn't want to do jury service were allowed to withdraw juries would contain only the cranks, crackpots, biased and barrack room lawyers. Would you want a jury like this making decision on the guilt or otherwise of you or your family? Yes, all those turn up on juries now but there are normally a solid majority of people who are a reasonable and rational and keep the oddballs in order.

I am not suggesting jury trials are without defects but they are the best we have and I believe it is everybody's duty to play their part in it to keep it as good as it can be.

I accept the idea in theory but I will be a very unhappy, reluctant, resentful juror.

Unhappy and reluctant but do not be resentful that will cloud your judgement

I would hate to called for jury service.

You are a very worthy person FlicketyB.

Mollie You will have to try to look really mean and hard. Then all the crims will reject you.

Who would you rather have on a jury if it concerned you or one of your family? You or A.N.Other who might have appalling prejudices, be rushing to finish the case quickly so that (s)he can get home for the weekend, or who might be fiddling their expenses ?
I respect your principles but if everybody of principle felt as you did, where would justice be?

Ooh 'eck! I mean alleged crims!

Oops!