Jury Service

[pig]

So today I received a letter in the post from the Jury Service, requesting that I become a member on the Jury. Im quite excited about this prospect as I get paid for my travel, food and loss of earnings (or so I think) So what I wanted to ask was has anyone had any experience with being a juror and does anyone know of the "perks" of the job so to speak.

As well as that is it worth doing? Seeing as I start University almost a week after im summoned im not sure if I can do it, however skipping a week of uni for justice could be worth it.

[pyirt]

I`ve heard it`s financially rewarding. http://www.cjsonline.gov.uk/juror/

[CrashTester]

I've done it three times now and dont mind doing it. The court proceedings can be quite interesting, or it can be pretty boring depending on how you look at these things. You have to sit around a lot and listen carefully when in court, then you must sit in a room with 11 other strangers and discuss justice. It can all be quite daunting.

As for the perks, there arent any as such except you get meal vouchers or something and you might get some half days, although in my case I got paid by the courts because my company said they wouldnt pay me and they they did anyway!

Just go and enjoy it, it will teach you a shit load more about real life than two weeks of uni would.

[Radical Edward]

apparently it is very interesting. I'd love to get called up.

[Dante Hicks]

Originally Posted by CrashTester

I've done it three times now and dont mind doing it.

Do you mean three different cases or you were picked randomly three times? Isn't the latter rather statistically unlikely?

I've never done it (not on the electoral roll) but I'd quite like to.

[Radical Edward]

Originally Posted by Dante Hicks

Do you mean three different cases or you were picked randomly three times? Isn't the latter rather statistically unlikely?

fairly I suppose, but that site does say 450,000 per year get picked, so there will probably be quite a few people that have been picked several times. my brother has been picked twice for example.

[CrashTester]

Originally Posted by Dante Hicks

Do you mean three different cases or you were picked randomly three times? Isn't the latter rather statistically unlikely?

I've never done it (not on the electoral roll) but I'd quite like to.

I have been picked for jury service 3 seperate times and attended for the full two weeks each time.

I think after selection your name gets removed from the selection pool for two years before it goes back in again, so statistically if this is correct then any 24 year old can have attended as many times as me and Im older than 24!

The cases I've had are;
- aggrevated assault on police
- burglary
- consipracy to rob
- false imprisonment
- sexual assault
- car theft
- drug dealing
- a few others I cant remember)


If you really want to do it get on the electoral roll and be a good boy - scallies wont get picked! Maybe thats why I've done so many stints, Im pretty law abiding.

[furball]

pig, if I remember right you're doing a Law degree. Go do it, it'll be invaluable experience from 'the other side' of the courtroom.

[Radical Edward]

Originally Posted by furball

pig, if I remember right you're doing a Law degree. Go do it, it'll be invaluable experience from 'the other side' of the system.

I thought you saw the other side by smashing windows and mugging old ladies?

[furball]

Fixed!

[JammyJim]

What happens if someone is earning £1000 a day.....
do they reimburse that as well???

[QazokRouge5]

Jimmy Jammy Jummy Jummy Jammy Jimmy, everyone knows that the only people who make 1000$/day are forum admins. The government wouldn't dare summon them.

[G.K Zhukov]

I got a call-up some time last authumn.

In Norway there is three levels
Tingrett -the first one, based in almost every town of some size.
Lagmansrett -second, regional
Høyesterett -Supreme Court, can only be appieled for special reasons

My call up was for Lagmansrett, a case that was stipulated to take 8 days. However, this was in my semester. Not that it mattered that much, so I wrote in saying I had really moved and gave up my new adress.
Then I got a letter saying I was exused. And I was like "oh well, idiots can't read heh".
It's not well paid in Norway, you usually get 250 NOK per day. Thats a bit more than 20£. Pluss hotel&food, depending on where you live relative to where the trial is.

[Marilyn Manson]

'12 Angry Men'

[CrashTester]

Originally Posted by JammyJim

What happens if someone is earning £1000 a day.....
do they reimburse that as well???

Nope, there is a cap I believe. Someone earning 1000 a day would almost certainly lose out. =

[Yahwe]

it's sweet that you are treating this as a situation in which you have a choice.

[Ice-Lady]

I loved doing Jury service. Our case was very interesting but only lasted a week. Wish it had been longer.
We used to nip over the pub at lunch breaks instead of using the courts canteen, which was a nice way to socialise.
We even had a "field" trip to see all the stored evidence at some police lockups.
I was doing my Jury service when 9/11 happened, watched the 2nd plane hit the tower as we were leaving, after being ajourned for the day.

I think most people find it interesting, but I guess it does depend on which case you land up with. Thankfully mine wasn't too gruesome or violent, unlike the poor souls who went in while we were deliberating.

[dda]

In California you get $15 a day and 10 cents a mile one way. Oh and free parking.
You feed yourself.
However, if your employer does not pay for your jury duty (many do)or there are other reasons why you would have a hardship if you served, you can be excused.

[Tactitus]

Originally Posted by dda

In California you get $15 a day and 10 cents a mile one way.

Pikers!

In Minnesota we get $20 a day and 27 cents a mile both ways! \o/

[dda]

Originally Posted by Tactitus

In Minnesota we get $20 a day and 27 cents a mile both ways! \o/

Liberal spendthrifts.
Probably all of those Minnesota Swedes.

[Vaio]

I was called for Jury service a few years ago.

Some guy beat up a taxi driver.

It was quite dull and more than a couple of us had trouble trying to stay awake.

The perp got 6 months and justice was done.

About a year later I went to a mates wedding and said perp ended up being a cousin or something.
He spend all night giving me that 'I'm sure I know him' look.

[Cooling]

Flatmate got called up for jury duty yesterday, High court case estimated to take eight weeks.

The problem is, he likes to talk, a lot - for long periods without stopping. I gather this is not legal and yet it will inevitably occur. Now I'm a law student, if he talks to me about anything in the case he might just take anything I respond with as some sort of authority on the matter. It would be absurd to do so, but nonetheless it is illegal and you never know how these things can come back to bite you in the ass later in life.

I gather its a murder case dealing with the tricky area of provocation and self defence. Should I avoid discussing this topic for the duration of the trial, or provide helpful and educational legal 'advice' for the poor fellow?

[Entium]

Don't forget to vote "not-guilty" if this implies a week of free accommodation in a highly priced hotel.

Don't forget to take along it's furniture afterwards, either.

[furball]

Originally Posted by Cooling

I gather its a murder case dealing with the tricky area of provocation and self defence. Should I avoid discussing this topic for the duration of the trial, or provide helpful and educational legal 'advice' for the poor fellow?

Tell him to listen to the judge, who will explain the law and issue directions regarding it. Try not to express an opinion if you can.

[Yahwe]

Originally Posted by Cooling

I gather its a murder case dealing with the tricky area of provocation and self defence. Should I avoid discussing this topic for the duration of the trial, or provide helpful and educational legal 'advice' for the poor fellow?

that depends on whether you want to go to prison or not

[Cooling]

Originally Posted by Yahwe

that depends on whether you want to go to prison or not

This seemed to be the gist of the Jury Act.

Though 'Maximum fine $10,000', a criminal record and a potential career ruined before it even gets off the ground seemed to be the worst that would happen.

It could be a semi legitimate reason for him to avoid getting selected for the jury.

[Yahwe]

it's not a legitimate reason.

and you'd go to prison for contempt of court.

[Ärketrollmannen]

Originally Posted by dda

Liberal spendthrifts.
Probably all of those Minnesota Swedes.

Speaking of Swedes. In Sweden you will not be called, it is voluntarily.

[Cooling]

Originally Posted by Yahwe

it's not a legitimate reason.

and you'd go to prison for contempt of court.

I've informed him that short of acting like a raving lunatic (and being able to proove it) its highly likely he will be called.

I don't intend to discuss it.

[Demon Dave]

The trick is to say that your prejudiced against all races

[dda]

Originally Posted by Ärketrollmannen

Speaking of Swedes. In Sweden you will not be called, it is voluntarily.

If they tried that in the US they'd probably have to let all of the criminals go as they wouldn't be able to find 12 qualified jurors.

[s|k]

Originally Posted by dda

If they tried that in the US they'd probably have to let all of the criminals go as they wouldn't be able to find 12 qualified jurors.

You mean we'd free the people living like animals in cages? Is that supposed to be a bad thing?

[dda]

Sorry, too feeble minded to get the point.

[Ärketrollmannen]

Originally Posted by dda

If they tried that in the US they'd probably have to let all of the criminals go as they wouldn't be able to find 12 qualified jurors.

It's actually considered something of an honour.

I'm gonna give it a shot next year, it is a good part of my education (going to be a teacher, social science/history).

I guess Swedish "jury"members get more pay etc.

[ChubbyChecker]

I've always wanted to do jury duty. Not something faggy like robbery but for a proper crime, like murder.

I'd be like Homer. "How many S's in innocent?"

[Snurx]

In all the courtcases I've been to, the jurors have been old people. OLD people. It's really funny, beacuse they look scared.
I don't think I've ever heard of a case in Norway that has been decided by the jurors (exept jury cases, of course. Most cases in Norway are handeled by a judge and two jurors or "meddommer" as they're called. Very few cases gets a full jury)

[s|k]

My co worker was just chosed for jury duty, but they dismissed her for having a speeding ticket. Also, a question they asked on a questionaire was if she had any bumper stickers on ther car. Isn't that silly.

[Ärketrollmannen]

You are kidding?

[Tomkat]

I think the whole idea of jury service is completely stupid.

Anyone can do it and be called up. That's the entire idea. I expect most of you know the average British public. You've spoken to the blue-collar workers of our great country. Some of things I've heard them say are utterly unfathomable. It's crazy, how stupid some people are.

And these are the people who get to decide men and women's fate, once put inside the courtroom.

Let's take a tax evasion case, for example. A clever businessman manages to do a little creative accounting and keep some funds aside for himself. He obviously knew what he was doing.
We have the prosecutors, some snazzy law students from Cambridge or similar. We have the judge and magistrates, upstanding members of the community who are well-versed in tax law.

But who gets to decide the verdict of this clever businessman? A bunch of goons who work at McDonalds and Woolworths, and have no idea how to even spell "evasion".

[Ärketrollmannen]

That is really the problem isn't it?

Is it true that the judge can change the outcome if he chooses to?

PS. I saw that in the movie 'Erin Brockovich' wich is based on a real event, but still, I would like it confirmed before I take it as a fact

If it is true, then what meaning does the jury have?

[Radical Edward]

Originally Posted by s|k

Also, a question they asked on a questionaire was if she had any bumper stickers on ther car. Isn't that silly.

well no, see if someone has a "The Lord made the word in 6 days" bumper sticker, the get struck off for being retarded.

[Yahwe]

Originally Posted by Tomkat

I think the whole idea of jury service is completely stupid.

Anyone can do it and be called up. That's the entire idea. I expect most of you know the average British public. You've spoken to the blue-collar workers of our great country. Some of things I've heard them say are utterly unfathomable. It's crazy, how stupid some people are.

And these are the people who get to decide men and women's fate, once put inside the courtroom.

Let's take a tax evasion case, for example. A clever businessman manages to do a little creative accounting and keep some funds aside for himself. He obviously knew what he was doing.
We have the prosecutors, some snazzy law students from Cambridge or similar. We have the judge and magistrates, upstanding members of the community who are well-versed in tax law.

But who gets to decide the verdict of this clever businessman? A bunch of goons who work at McDonalds and Woolworths, and have no idea how to even spell "evasion".

stop reading the daily mail.

(oh and you 'knowledge' of the legal system is comedy gold)

[djbass]

Funny enough I almost started a simular thread a week ago. I too have been summonsed to jury duty in about another 7 days. Though I can see no real benifits from attending, Australian law is somewhat different on the matter. Still it's either do it now or get picked again next time round.

[Tomkat]

Originally Posted by Yahwe

stop reading the daily mail.

(oh and you 'knowledge' of the legal system is comedy gold)

Great reply Yahwe.

I never claimed to be a legal expert. My opinion of jury duty is low though.


Personal attack personal attack upmanship upmanship.

You're such a sad little man

[Yahwe]

Originally Posted by Tomkat

i admit i know absolutely nothing about what i'm talking but i'm still going to get upset if anyone points this out

[dda]

Originally Posted by Ärketrollmannen

That is really the problem isn't it?

Is it true that the judge can change the outcome if he chooses to?

PS. I saw that in the movie 'Erin Brockovich' wich is based on a real event, but still, I would like it confirmed before I take it as a fact

If it is true, then what meaning does the jury have?

In the United States, in civil actions, the judge has great lattitude.

He can grant a new trial.
He can set aside the verdict as not comporting with the applicable law.
He can add to a monetary award or reduce a monetary award if it seems flagrantly incorrect.

The court's descretion is supposed to be based on whether he feels the facts and the law are adequate to uphold the jury verdict.

In criminal trials judges can not affect the verdict the same way. They can only change things if there was a legal problem with the the verdict.

[dda]

Originally Posted by s|k

My co worker was just chosed for jury duty, but they dismissed her for having a speeding ticket. Also, a question they asked on a questionaire was if she had any bumper stickers on ther car. Isn't that silly.

What bumper stickers do you have on your car?
What is the last book you read?
What magazines do you subscribe to?
What television shows do you like the best?
What is the last movie you went to see?

In California, these are questions that defense lawyers not uncommonly attempt to ask. I have been successful in persuading judges that they are much more intrusive than they are informative.

At some seminars for defense attorneys, they teach them to try and ask such questions and then they have interpretations for what they mean.

ACLU bumper sticker---good
NRA bumper sticker---bad
Bush sticker---bad
Kerry sticker---good
Save the Whales---good

It is felt by many attornies on both sides that conservative jurors are good for the prosecution and liberal jurors are good for the defense.

I myself am toying with the idea of asking prospective jurors, "Have you ever heard of GD?"

[Tomkat]

Yahwe, instead of dodging around statements and throwing childish little insults at people, why don't you try and take 10 seconds to create a decent reply? I know it's a lot of effort for you, but please try.

Why on earth is having a bunch of schmucks with no legal knowledge on "jury service" better than having a judge and two magistrates decide somebody's fate?

[Cooling]

Because in the end; if the lawyers are worth their salt, and if somthing has gone wrong at trial, there will be an appeal and possibly a subsequent retrial. Though of course this cannot happen if a jury exhonorates a 'guilty' person, these descisions cannot be appealed.

The reality is that this rarely occurs; criminals are fairly dim and the law is not terribly complex in clear cut cases.

Theoretically Juries are thought to be more sympathetic to the defendant, and the requirement for a unanimous verdict and guilt beyond reasonable doubt tend to reinforce this assumption. This point is of course debatable, and personally I think it is idealistic but there you have it.

The jury also serves as a check against the power of the state. Were it left to judges to decide the fate of criminals, they will inevitably let their own personal prejudices interfere with the legislative process; again it would be idealistic in the extreme to suggest that Judges would always act in an impartial and unbiased fashion in accordance with the letter of the law. The alternatives are not perfect.

[Yahwe]

Originally Posted by Tomkat

Yahwe, instead of dodging around statements and throwing childish little insults at people, why don't you try and take 10 seconds to create a decent reply? I know it's a lot of effort for you, but please try.

Why on earth is having a bunch of schmucks with no legal knowledge on "jury service" better than having a judge and two magistrates decide somebody's fate?

why is a 'magistrate' better than a juror exactly?