Posted March 10, 20196 yr 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?
March 10, 20196 yr Yes, I'd rather not ever have to do it. As much as some unexpected time off work would be nice.
March 10, 20196 yr Author 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.
March 10, 20196 yr 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!
March 10, 20196 yr 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.
March 10, 20196 yr 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.
March 10, 20196 yr 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.
March 10, 20196 yr 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).
March 10, 20196 yr 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.
March 11, 20196 yr Author 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. :thinking:
April 11, 20196 yr 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.
April 13, 20196 yr 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. Edited April 13, 20196 yr by Common Sense
April 17, 20196 yr Author 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 :lol:
April 17, 20196 yr 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 :lol: As I understand it, you don't get summoned for a specific trial. Therefore, this story is inaccurate to say the least.
April 18, 20196 yr Author 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? :unsure:
April 18, 20196 yr Juries don't get summoned for a specific trial, but I would be very surprised if that applied to judges too? :unsure: Of course judges are assigned specific trials, but that doesn’t alter the fact that jurors don’t know their trials in advance.
April 18, 20196 yr Author 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.
June 22, 20196 yr Author Consequences for trying to avoid jury service... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-71...-fined-300.html
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