Jury Service - what's your experience?

[MikeFromLFE]

Got called about 40 years ago when I was extremely wet behind the ears.
It was in the Number 1 court at the Old Bailey, lasted 6 weeks, and the jurors were randomly shadowed to / from the court in case we were nobbled (or worse).
I got a 20 year exemption after the case, on a fancy bit if paper with a proper wax seal!

It was a very enlightening experience, which I would recommend to anyone. As a result I have very little faith in the jury system, but can't think of a better way of dealing with Justice in a very British way.

[rabbit]

It seems that in a number of cases, doing jury service results in the jurors loosing faith in the jury system

The question is - what is the alternative? How could it be improved? I must admit, I'd rather have my guilt determined by a select band of intelligent trained personnel (imagine that - being a juror as a vocation!) than a selection of Joe Public.   

[Ian H]

It seems that in a number of cases, doing jury service results in the jurors loosing faith in the jury system

The question is - what is the alternative? How could it be improved? I must admit, I'd rather have my guilt determined by a select band of intelligent trained personnel (imagine that - being a juror as a vocation!) than a selection of Joe Public.

The problem is: trained and selected by whom?

[De Sisti]

As a result I have very little faith in the jury system, .

Was it anything like "12 Angry Men", or just squabbling and mayhem?

[Cudzoziemiec]

It seems that in a number of cases, doing jury service results in the jurors loosing faith in the jury system

The question is - what is the alternative? How could it be improved? I must admit, I'd rather have my guilt determined by a select band of intelligent trained personnel (imagine that - being a juror as a vocation!) than a selection of Joe Public.

The problem is: trained and selected by whom?

In some countries, the case is tried by a panel of judges, who assess the evidence together and reach a verdict.

[MikeFromLFE]

As a result I have very little faith in the jury system, .

Was it anything like "12 Angry Men", or just squabbling and mayhem?

Overbearing domination by a couple of very manipulative, opinionated personalities (mainly on the basis that if they've been arrested, then they must be guilty), that coupled with a number of young, weak jurors (like me) having been selected was a recipe for disaster.
Having said that, I beleive that justice was done - I just fear that in different circumstances the outcome could have ruined several lives.

[Biggsy]

It seems that in a number of cases, doing jury service results in the jurors loosing faith in the jury system

The question is - what is the alternative? How could it be improved? I must admit, I'd rather have my guilt determined by a select band of intelligent trained personnel (imagine that - being a juror as a vocation!) than a selection of Joe Public.   

My experience shook my faith, but I don't want anything radically different.  Making jury service harder to get out of might help - to get a more rounded mix of jurors.

[Jaded]

My one man business would not do too well over 4 weeks without me. I'd like to do Jury Service though.

[Regulator]

I've sat a number times. The last case got me a permanent waiver from future jury service.

I actually found the experience quite positive.  On the whole people were taking it seriously and doing their best.

[Wowbagger]

I've never been called. I suspect I'm on an MI5 inspired blacklist as a "domestic extremist". If you don't want to do jury service, join one of the (probably) proscribed organisations. For me, take your pick from Young Communist League, CND, NUT, PPPS, FoE and Greens.

I thought YACF might disqualify you, but clearly not. 

[zigzag]

i've done it once, sat around for most of the time except for the last three days (of two weeks). employer paid as usual and court just paid for travel/lunch. i found the process and discussions interesting, but felt sad to put a teenager behind the bars for the first time..

[PeteB99]

Been on the Electoral role for about 40 years and never been called. Like Wow I assume my name's on a list somewhere.

[Polar Bear]

I've always wanted to do jury service but it's never come my way.   Perhaps being a militant trades unionist with a record for going on strike in the eighties and nineties has somehow counted against me.   

I discovered recently that almost 16 years with one of the Uk's biggest credit card companies got me on a list of names known as the 'Red Devils'.       I assume that's what fucked up my career progression then.    Red Black lists are illegal these days, aren't they?

[spindrift]

i watched gay porn on fast forward in Westminster County Court, oppo Big Ben.

[spindrift]

When I did jury service.

[Pickled Onion]

Overbearing domination by a couple of very manipulative, opinionated personalities (mainly on the basis that if they've been arrested, then they must be guilty), that coupled with a number of young, weak jurors (like me) having been selected was a recipe for disaster.
Having said that, I believe that justice was done - I just fear that in different circumstances the outcome could have ruined several lives.

40 years ago overriding opinion of the general population was that the police were 100% trustworthy. If a police officer was prepared to say something in court, then it had to be true.

25 years ago (when I did jury service) things were quite different - there was not a single jury member with the opinion that anything in the police statements was even vaguely true.

[Euan Uzami]

Overbearing domination by a couple of very manipulative, opinionated personalities

I sometimes wonder whether it would be better if they didn't deliberate, just each considered it on their own, and held a vote at the end?
I get the impression some people may just go with the majority because they're sick of it and want to get back to work. Not a very good basis to base justice on.

I lost faith in the jury system after seeing the trial of that woman who was accused of taking a speeding ticket for her MP husband where the jury asked questions like 'are we allowed to speculate ...' etc etc.

[clarion]

I've never been called.  The pattern of who doesn't seem to have done it - here and among other acquaintances - suggests the possibility of a list.

[Paul]

I've never been 'invited'. It's unlikely to happen either because of reasons.

I'm only responding because I've just remembered getting a first for my essay on the jury system. I was the only person in my year to argue against it. I decided to argue against it for the hell/novelty of it, but as it went on and as I did more research I genuinely came to the view that there is as much against our jury system as there is for it, and possibly a little more (against).

The two main issues I recall I had were:

1. a lot of people are precluded from jury service, and then a whole bunch more can be excused from jury service, so what's left is those people the state approves of, and who can't get out of it. Not necessarily good or representative.

2. juries sometimes have an agenda. There are cases where juries have been clearly directed by a judge that because of a or b the jury must reach a particular verdict or must ignore such a piece of evidence. And then the jury does the opposite. Whether you think that's right or wrong, it isn't the law.

Since then the number of cases that can be tried without juries has increased massively. I wonder now whether the jury system is merely a token gesture: something to be referred to by one party or another but which is largely meaningless.

[Clare]

I've never been called, I don't think being in the CTC, BMC and Lace Guild puts me on any list but maybe the Guild is rammed with radicals.

Vernon has done jury service so that's the CTC and BMC out of the equation, must be the Lace Guild then.

[Feanor]

A previous boss many years back complained that it was a hugely inefficient waste of his and everyone else's time.

He was in favour of 'postal votes'.
The prosecution and defence each put together a summary of their case in no more than 1000 words.   It gets posted out to the jurors who can then send their verdict back by return post.
A photo of the accused would also be included, to assess the 'ned-factor'.

He was only half-joking.

[Mrs Pingu]

I've never been called.  The pattern of who doesn't seem to have done it - here and among other acquaintances - suggests the possibility of a list.

Great! What's the least dodgy thing I have to do to get on it?

[Rhys W]

I've been summoned for the end of February as well. I don't think I'll have any problems with my employer (Civil Service) and the court is 15 minutes walk from my house so I'll be 3/4 of a tank of petrol up at least (assuming it lasts a couple of weeks).

I'm apprehensive about two things - the attitude of my fellow jurors may disappoint me, and the thought of having nightmares from listening to evidence of violent assaults or sexual abuse.

[Kim]

Also never been called.  Never been on any list that would have me.

[barakta]

I'd be rejected for being too deaf; I am not legally allowed communication support in the jury deliberation chamber as a "support worker" is deemed to be a 13th person.  There are deaf people challenging this as for almost every other purpose a BSL interpreter or equivalent is not counted as a person and their accreditation and confidentiality wossname is accepted.

Have never even been called.  Interesting I note the Scots on this list seem to have a higher call-up rate.