Have you ever been called for jury service?
By John Welford
@indexer (4852)
Leicester, England
October 5, 2015 11:53am CST
In the UK you are liable to be called for jury service if you are between the ages of 18 and 75. I am now 63 and have never had the call - but there are another 12 years ahead during which this might be possible.
My son was called within two years of turning 18, but was able to gain exemption due to his state of mental health (he is on the autistic spectrum).
I would be very willing to undertake this duty if called upon, and can see no reason why I could not serve if called - in any case, you have to have a very good reason for being excused if the call comes.
I have heard of people being called for the standard 10 days service and not actually getting to hear a case, due to defendants changing their plea the guilty, for example. I hope that doesn't happen to me - how frustrating would that be after waiting for more than 45 years?
10 people like this
13 responses
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
5 Oct 15
I have been called 3 times and never served. The first time was just after I moved and it was my old county calling. I told them I had moved and was 4 hours away so it wouldn't work. The second time I was called was winter of this year. A horrible ice storm came in and the salt truck went off the road and closed it. The police at the scene told me to go back and they would let the courthouse know. I called the courthouse directly and they told me to stay put, and it wasn't worth risking my life to go over.
The third time was in spring of this year. I was okay with going, because weather was good, my car was good, and I had no serious obligations. They changed the plea and we didn't have to come in. I'm okay with not going.
4 people like this
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
5 Oct 15
I have heard it said that if you come up in court you are putting your fate in the hands of 12 people who weren't bright enough to get out of jury service!
As it happens I have served on a jury - during a performance of Trial by Jury by Gilbert and Sullivan!
@topffer (42155)
• France
5 Oct 15
No, and I would do my best to be recused, it is not very difficult
. I have often been in court as a lawyer of the civil party for various associations (and I still do it if I am a member) in correctionnal courts (criminal courts with professional judges) but never in a court of assize (criminal courts with a jury for major crimes like murder).
. I have often been in court as a lawyer of the civil party for various associations (and I still do it if I am a member) in correctionnal courts (criminal courts with professional judges) but never in a court of assize (criminal courts with a jury for major crimes like murder).2 people like this
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
6 Oct 15
I've been called several times. The first few times I asked to be released, for a couple of relevant reasons. Last time I went, made the first call but didn't make it on to the jury. I was a little disappointed, but did enoy being part of the selection process.
1 person likes this
@rosekiss (30413)
• Eugene, Oregon
5 Oct 15
I have been called, but I have never served. Mainly. becasue the case was resolved before it was suppose to goto court so I didn't have to serve. The last time I was to serve, we were given jury numbers, and my number was so high, that I never had to appear. I am willing to go, should I be called again, but the way they do things here in Oregon, once you have been called, it is several years before you are called again. I was called in July of this year, but never had to serve.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
5 Oct 15
I think I recall being called once, but some deal was made with the case or something or other and they cancelled it.
@cmoneyspinner (9218)
• Austin, Texas
7 Oct 15
Yes. Been called twice. Once for a civil case and I served on the jury. Once for a criminal case and I would not have mind serving, but the lawyer for the accused was being extremely overly selective about the jury members. Both experiences were worthwhile.
@TheHorse (238306)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Oct 15
I was called for a gang murder trial recently. It was a bit unnerving. Fortunately, the prosecution tossed me (after three pretty grueling days) because he thought I might be sympathetic to the perp since I used to work as a psychologist for Department of Corrections. The guy got convicted, as he should have been.
1 person likes this
