Behave yourselves ...

[Theseus]

I have been called up for Jury duty in the middle of next month. If you don't behave yourselves, I may have to send you to bed without any supper.

I just hope that either the message the night before is to not turn up or my number doesn't get pulled out of the bowl. The thought of spending time with 14 other people listening to legal arguments when I could be on CC is too depressing.

 

[smokeysmoo]

This is my worst nightmare, I would hate to be called up for jury service. Can't really explain why I've just always felt that way.

 

[snorri]

I've checked for an escape route for you.

http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/courtusers/jurors/docs/JuryHighCourtSheriffCourt.pdf



,...... but addiction to CC is apparently not considered as justification for excusal from jury duty.

 

[MontyVeda]

got called up once, I turned it down.

doubt I'll get called again. My mother did it last year and it was the most boring experience of her life... not half as good as watching Crown Court!

 

[biggs682]

had to do it twice so far

its a nightmare

 

[smokeysmoo]

I've always been under the impression you can't turn it down, at least without an exceptional reason, (not prying what it was). Then even if you are successful in avoiding the first call to duty, your selection is merely commuted to another case.

Is this not how it works? If not I won't mind being selected if I know I can refuse to do it

 

[krushavik]

I've never been called to do it. Perhaps its because I have the wrong attitude. "They would not be there if they had not done anything."

 

[Slim]

...The thought of spending time with 14 other people listening to legal arguments when I could be on CC is too depressing.

You won't be listening to legal arguments as such. Just evidence and what the opposing counsel wants you to believe from hearing that evidence. The judge will usually clarify any terminology or potential misunderstandings.

Just make sure you take a good book or two as there's often quite a bit of hanging around. That includes during cases while the barristers argue over legal points or whether certain evidence may be put to the jury.

I've had three lots of jury service so far (including The Old Bailey) and turned down a fourth.

 

[Iain p]

There is an easy way out of jury duty . get yourself a criminal record.
P.S I accept no responsibility for this post

 

[al78]

I did it at the beginning of July. The worst bits were 1) telling my boss, as there is no-one to cover me at work (I softened the blow by offering to come back to work when it finished and on the periods I wasn't needed); and 2) praying I didn't get on a long case and lose my holiday I had booked and paid for at the end of the month. As it happened I only ended up doing one case that lasted about three days; I did get selected for two more cases but on the first the defendant pleaded guilty at the last minute and on the second I was one of the two that didn't get drawn to sit in the jurors box.

There can be a lot of waiting around so yes, you need to take something with you that will keep you occupied for a period of several hours. I found it interesting once I actually got on a case, basically all you have to do is reach a verdict based on evidence from two different sides. If you like doing logical inference problems you will enjoy it. If you really can't do without your CC fix you could try bringing your laptop along with a dongle and use that to log in. They will have lockers to store valuables whilst you are in the courtroom.

 

[bonj]

My advice is - if it's a murder, it'll probably be quite interesting. Stick with it.

If it's a corporate embezzlement, be warned - it'll drag on for weeks and be boring as shite, and I'd recommend you get yourself thrown off as soon as possible - as soon as you are filed in, just look at the defendant, and shout (loudly so the judge can hear as well) - "alright Dan! how's it going ! long time no see! I'll put a good word in for you."

My mate once did one that was petty theft, and he was out within the day. It was apparently fairly hobvious hewas guilty. Depends on whether you're on full pay from your job or not, and whether you want to get bck to it.

edit: I must say I've never been called. I can only assume they aren't interested in my opinon.

 

[accountantpete]

The hours are good 10-12 and 2-4.

 

[guitarpete247]

I'm 55 and never been called. GF's eldest is 27 and been called twice. He was called up aqbout 5 years and the a year later. They must have thought he did a good job

.

 

[al78]

My advice is - if it's a murder, it'll probably be quite interesting. Stick with it.

If it's a corporate embezzlement, be warned - it'll drag on for weeks and be boring as shite, and I'd recommend you get yourself thrown off as soon as possible - as soon as you are filed in, just look at the defendant, and shout (loudly so the judge can hear as well) - "alright Dan! how's it going ! long time no see! I'll put a good word in for you."

My mate once did one that was petty theft, and he was out within the day. It was apparently fairly hobvious hewas guilty. Depends on whether you're on full pay from your job or not, and whether you want to get bck to it.

edit: I must say I've never been called. I can only assume they aren't interested in my opinon.

The selection process is done randomly by computer.

 

[fimm]

I was called once. Somewhat to my disappointment, I had already booked flights for a holiday for the period in question. I produced a printout of the internet booking of said flights and was excused. I've not been asked again. I have heard somewhere that you can only get dispensation 3 times and must then serve the 4th time you are called.