As a fine, upstanding pillar of the community, I have been summonsed to do Jury service. Of course, I'm quite happy to do my civic duty - but not if it involves getting to St Albans for 09.00 day after day! Does anyone have any wheezes that'll get me off the hook?
Do it! I did one case over two days, only having to go in on three days out of ten, if I remember correctly, perhaps it was just a week (it was 25 years ago). Interesting experience and almost certainly your only chance to do it.
I expect serving on a locally might be a bit humdrum, but I consider my jury service to be one of the most significant experiences of my life. It was at the Old Bailey many years ago on an attempted murder case.
It’ll be a fantastic (scary) insight into how your fellow citizens apply their critical reasoning. Enjoy!
What UEA said, (translation is some people are f*** wits). I did it a few years ago at St Albans and it was a very good experience which I'd gladly do again. Parked for free outside of town and took a slow walk in every day, grabbed a coffee and walked in with it ready for the morning. They give you a phone number which you ring every night to see if you're needed the next day, and in my case out of the 2 weeks I had quite a few days "off". Do it, you won't regret it.
I did jury service at Winchester Crown Court about 15 years ago. Wasn't looking forward to doing it but absolutely loved it! Would jump at the chance to do it again. Didn't get called up for the first 3 days of the first week so was home before midday. The last 2 days were a shop lifting/intimidation case (no idea how it got to crown court) which were a bit boring. The second week was the full 5 days for a gun theft crime! Now that was decent.
If you go on jury service can you wear a disguise like a wig, or a fake moustache, glasses, etc so the accused/killer don't recognise you?
I’ll go instead - I’ve always wanted to do jury service. What do I need to transform myself into Lloyd?
Not sure how it works, but I’ve never been called yet my younger brother has been called up twice to do it.
"Jury service"?? Sure..... Listen Clive, we're all here for you. Whatever you did, I'm sure there's a rational explanation ? Burning down some Tory toff's house presumably ?
It's a great experience. Again the critical faculties of some of the jurors do leave something to be desired. However you get expenses for your meals and we had two great counsels arguing with each other with a complete range of theatrical gestures. Forensic scientists, friends, police officers all summoned as witnesses and the defendant (ABH charge) as well. It's a great insight into the justice system at work although our cases was stop and start due to some new evidence being submitted on day two. One even had a smidgeon of sympathy for the defendant given how troubled their upbringing was.
Thanks for the comments and encouragement. Having just read the paperwork, it looks like this is going to be hard to dodge. Mrs L suggests I turn up on day one and just trust my gift for saying something unintentionally offensive and/or highly inappropriate to get myself chucked out and sent home
I was called up twice in my 20s. It was fun, much better than my work at the time, and an interesting experience. Free lunch too. Hypothetically, if I’d wanted to get out of it, I’d appeal saying that it would damage my career trajectory, or go to the court on day one and stare down the defendant lawyer/ defendant. I suppose someone might be able to tell the judge that they want to be excused because anyone who gets to a court room is guilty, so there’s no point wasting everyone’s time/ taxpayers money. The only people I saw excused were those with caring responsibilities, but that was for a really long case.
Been excused twice. Once I was going away for Xmas, second time said I'd just started new job and it would damage my career. Think 3rd time I have to do it irrelevant of circumstance though.
Good point. I might not go with her idea of shaking my head, tut-tutting and audibly muttering 'not guilty, my arse' when the charges are first read out against the accused
I did it. Three cases, all about drugs. It’s very interesting, but don’t expect glamour. In the most serious case, involving an awful lot of drugs, the defendant made no credible effort to defend himself. He appeared to be reminded of this by the appearance of a number of heavy looking chaps in the Gallery. They left after he gave evidence, presumably satisfied he had done nothing to help himself. Fascinating, grim, sad, with unexpected moments of hilarity was my experience.
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! I've been excused Jury Service! And it's not too late to return the "Bring Back Hanging" t-shirt I bought specially to wear on my first day! Champagne for everyone!!!
