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 Should jury service be optional? |
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 Mar 10 2019, 03:06 PM
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#1
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 Paul Hyett
Joined: 4 April 2006
Posts: 25,346 User: 364 
 
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As above.
I *have* been on jury service, and I can tell you that it can be very disruptive, and often financially stressful. Wouldn't it be better to select people who actually *wanted* to serve on juries, rather than drawing them randomly from people who may well not want to be there? |
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Mar 10 2019, 03:16 PM
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#2
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 BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 4 November 2013
Posts: 30,499 User: 20,053
   
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Yes, I'd rather not ever have to do it. As much as some unexpected time off work would be nice.
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Mar 10 2019, 03:29 PM
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#3
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Paul Hyett
Joined: 4 April 2006
Posts: 25,346 User: 364
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QUOTE(dobbo @ Mar 10 2019, 03:16 PM)  Yes, I'd rather not ever have to do it. As much as some unexpected time off work would be nice. My experience was one of great boredom - sitting round for hours waiting to be called, only to be told you're not selected today - of the two weeks I was told to attend, only about 4 days was I actually on a jury. |
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Mar 10 2019, 04:07 PM
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#4
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Brown cow, stunning!
Joined: 7 December 2009
Posts: 67,160 User: 10,139
       
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I didn't mind doing it, and tbh if it was optional there'd probably be a shortage but I think they should be a bit more understanding of those who can't do it for whatever reason. It was pretty dull having to just sit around but I didn't mind the actual trial bit!
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Mar 10 2019, 04:25 PM
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#5
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 The owls are not what they seem
Pronouns: He/him
Joined: 11 July 2009 Posts: 37,099 User: 9,232
    
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The system isn't perfect given some go on trials that last months and it messes with their finances/personal life, and some have to wait around for days and then don't get selected so their time has been wasted. Problem is, there's always a risk of a shortage if you make it optional and having people from different walks of life not connected to the legal process keeps it unbiased.
From my own experience honestly, it was very well organised. The judge was understanding to those that couldn't do it, if there were no trials on the horizon then people were discharged early and the time frame was made clear when we went on the trial and we weren't required to stay after 4pm. |
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Mar 10 2019, 04:27 PM
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#6
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 Howdy, disco citizens
Joined: 16 January 2010
Posts: 12,775 User: 10,455
  
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I'd be opposed to the idea of jury service being optional, as it goes against the idea of being tried in a court of law by a jury made up of your peers. Do you know who actively wants to voluntarily be a member of a jury? Weirdos. And if, God forbid, I ever find myself being tried in a court of law, I don't my fate to be in the hands of 12 weirdos.
I've never been on a jury, but would have no problem being on one, as I see it as part of my civic duty. |
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Mar 10 2019, 05:35 PM
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#7
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Radical Pink Troll
Joined: 11 March 2006
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My mum is 60 and she’s always wanted to do it but has never had the chance. Her mum has been called twice. I’ve never done it but I know how disruptive it can be. A colleague of mine was called up and ended up in the jury for the April Jones murder.
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Mar 10 2019, 05:47 PM
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#8
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 🔥🚀🔥
Joined: 30 August 2010
Posts: 74,516 User: 11,746
      
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Yes but the gov't should also have the right to call up people if there are not enough willing volunteers (unless they have a good get-out excuse).
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Mar 10 2019, 06:22 PM
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#9
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 I Drink Wine
Joined: 12 April 2015
Posts: 10,484 User: 21,753
 
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No. The whole point of it being mandatory is to ensure the most diverse selection of people. If it were voluntary, a number of groups of people would be severely underrepresented.
It's not perfect, especially with financial impact and disruption on those selected, but at the end of the day it's the fairest way of doing it. |
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Mar 10 2019, 06:27 PM
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#10
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Queen of Soon
Joined: 24 May 2007
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No. It’s an important part of our social contract with society.
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Mar 11 2019, 06:16 AM
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#11
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Paul Hyett
Joined: 4 April 2006
Posts: 25,346 User: 364
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QUOTE(danG @ Mar 10 2019, 05:47 PM) Yes but the gov't should also have the right to call up people if there are not enough willing volunteers (unless they have a good get-out excuse). I could probably cite ongoing medical issues now. 
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Apr 11 2019, 09:46 AM
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#12
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New Entry
Joined: 11 April 2019
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Majority of the people opt not to attend if the jury system is optional. Jury duty is a form of slavery and you are forced to work in jury duty without a choice. I am a professional writer at best writing services USA and I was a jury before. Jury duty is the single most important aspect and your job as a jury is not to determine the truth of the allegations. You have to take time away from your life, your work, your family as a jury. The sort of people who volunteered would be an unrepresentative slice of the community if juries were voluntary.
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Apr 13 2019, 05:07 PM
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#13
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BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 7 March 2006
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QUOTE(PhilomenaB @ Apr 11 2019, 10:46 AM) Majority of the people opt not to attend if the jury system is optional. Jury duty is a form of slavery and you are forced to work in jury duty without a choice. I am a professional writer at best writing services USA and I was a jury before. Jury duty is the single most important aspect and your job as a jury is not to determine the truth of the allegations. You have to take time away from your life, your work, your family as a jury. The sort of people who volunteered would be an unrepresentative slice of the community if juries were voluntary. My wife was called up in 1994 and she didn't want to go so she said her English wasn't perfect so was excused and has never been called again. Her English is just as good as mine!!! I've never been called up but would be excused due to my mental health problems. This post has been edited by Common Sense: Apr 13 2019, 05:07 PM |
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Apr 17 2019, 05:42 AM
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#14
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Paul Hyett
Joined: 4 April 2006
Posts: 25,346 User: 364
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-69...iding-case.html
Senior judge is summoned for jury duty - but is excused after revealing he is presiding over the case! Judge Kieth Cutler was called to do jury service for a trial starting next week He replied to summons saying he couldn't sit on jury because he was presiding Jury service rejected his reason and told him to apply to the resident judge He said: 'I am the resident judge' and was eventually able to be excused 
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Apr 17 2019, 08:11 AM
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#15
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 BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 13 April 2007
Posts: 36,648 User: 3,272
   
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QUOTE(vidcapper @ Apr 17 2019, 06:42 AM) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-69...iding-case.html Senior judge is summoned for jury duty - but is excused after revealing he is presiding over the case! Judge Kieth Cutler was called to do jury service for a trial starting next week He replied to summons saying he couldn't sit on jury because he was presiding Jury service rejected his reason and told him to apply to the resident judge He said: 'I am the resident judge' and was eventually able to be excused As I understand it, you don't get summoned for a specific trial. Therefore, this story is inaccurate to say the least. |
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Apr 18 2019, 05:10 AM
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#16
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Paul Hyett
Joined: 4 April 2006
Posts: 25,346 User: 364
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QUOTE(Suedehead2 @ Apr 17 2019, 09:11 AM) As I understand it, you don't get summoned for a specific trial. Therefore, this story is inaccurate to say the least. Juries don't get summoned for a specific trial, but I would be very surprised if that applied to judges too? 
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Apr 18 2019, 08:28 AM
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#17
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BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 13 April 2007
Posts: 36,648 User: 3,272
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QUOTE(vidcapper @ Apr 18 2019, 06:10 AM) Juries don't get summoned for a specific trial, but I would be very surprised if that applied to judges too? Of course judges are assigned specific trials, but that doesn’t alter the fact that jurors don’t know their trials in advance. |
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Apr 18 2019, 01:30 PM
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#18
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Paul Hyett
Joined: 4 April 2006
Posts: 25,346 User: 364
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QUOTE(Suedehead2 @ Apr 18 2019, 09:28 AM) Of course judges are assigned specific trials, but that doesn’t alter the fact that jurors don’t know their trials in advance. Oh right, I see what you were getting at now. |
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Jun 22 2019, 05:01 AM
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#19
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Paul Hyett
Joined: 4 April 2006
Posts: 25,346 User: 364
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Consequences for trying to avoid jury service...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-71...-fined-300.html |
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