Been called to do Jury service twice and got out of it both times, the first time I refused to do it only to be told it wasn't an option so I got my employer to write saying I was indispensable and that worked, second time they almost got me I was seriously naffed off with the situation and on the first morning spent a good 20 minutes moaning at the court officials finally telling them that it was irrelevant to me what the defendants were charged with as I'd already made up my mind, a short while after I was dismissed as unsuitable never been called again
Did jury service about 6 years ago - was going through a hellish time at work so 2 weeks at Guildford Crown Court felt like a holiday in comparison. You will spend a lot of time waiting around, either to be selected onto the jury for a particular case, or once you're on a case, if the jury is sent out while legal arguments are heard. Make sure you take a good book/pile of magazines/tedious paperwork that you've been putting off doing at home/work to fill these gaps. My other tip is (unless you have the most amazing memory for the most minute details) to take notes of everything. You won't necessarily realise the significance of particular bits of evidence while they are being given, until the end when the judge gives his directions to the jury.
if your self employed your gonna lose money Finm! seriously. I am self employed as well and is ever get called up, I will fight to stay away - serious loss of earnings! I understand they only reimburse expenses plus a poultry fee! I would rather claim mental illness than lose all that fucking money! bastards. I'm a diabetic as well m'Lud - please don't spank me again Sir....
Ive done js at belmarsh. Certainly beats working for a living. Late start and an early finish. With enough time to go home for lunch. Best line from on of the jurors when deliberating. "Ill go with what everyone else says. As i can get back home to collect the kids saving the minder from doing it" Plus work paid the shortfall at more thsn the £200 per day mentioned.
you'll be all right, you get to stay at a specially adapted quality accommodation all inclusive with waiter/waitress service….all at the tax payers expense………..oh hang on….thats the judges..
ALTHOUGH!...and I'm not sure if this is true as thankfully I've never had to do it - but you MIGHT be able to claim loss of earnings on your next tax return and therefore escape two week's savage un-lubricated - and probably un-protected anal rape from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs monkeys (may their gods bless them and their families) - but I suspect you would need to talk to your accountant about that....
Having done jury duty myself, I found it a fascinating process. It really is a life experience that I would recommend to everyone if they get the chance.
I did jury service at Belmarsh and commuted by m/bike. Parked in carpark and entered building, went through all security checks [ airport body scan and empty pockets into tray to go through X ray machine ] get into jury holding room and went to put my leather jacket and crash helmet in the jury cloakroom only to be told by the guy who is in charge of all jurors, " Don't leave them in there, they'll get nicked ". I sat on three trials taking my kit into the jury box with me and nothing was said. On one occasion, a brief had his mobile nicked which caused an almighty panic, and everyone in the jury holding room had to show their phones to security . I wouldn't have missed for the world.
Does anyone feel there is a good case for professional jurors rather than leaving the results up to our peers ? You could even get specialists so for example accountants to be on financial cases although I`m not suggesting burglars, murderers and Jimmy Saville for burglary , murder and kiddie fiddling cases. The fact that we have used the public since whenever it was is no reason not to explore possibilities.
Nope. Has to be our peers. Professional jurors is just asking for trouble. The list of problems this could cause is endless. Not to mention the temptation for corruption.
