Jury Service

[dougdeep]

Done it twice. Lewes and Brighton. Loved it as you start late, finish early and have a long lunch.

 

[Skaville]

I did it many moons ago when I was just eighteen. I did my first case, then after a day off we were all led through to the courtroom for our second case. I instantly recognised the two defendants in the dock - It's a long story, but they had tried to assualt me three years before. I'd done bugger all, literally kissed the wrong girl (who was single at the time!) but they were not reasonable people. I managed to leg it when they came for me and the would be assailants were apprehended by the police. The two in the dock had offensive weapons on them and were duly charged.

They were scary characters and I was shitting myself. I had laid low and managed to avoid seeing them for three years. They did not recognise me but you have to declare if you know the defendents. I really did not want to admit to knowing them in case they realised who I was - I'd be in for it the next time they saw me, but if I didn't reveal that I knew them it could jeopardise the case. However, I was really tempted not to reveal that i knew them and make sure they were found guilty of whatever charges were laid against them.

Anyway, the court officials drew twelve names out of the hat and very, very luckily, mine was one of the two that was not picked out. I did not have to stand on the jury and they had not recognised me. Even better, the fuckers got sent down. A year later one of them stabbed his own brother. I got lucky.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I did it once, but the first case involved video screen evidence and child sex abuse so didn't enjoy it at all

 

[Norman Potting]

Did it at Lewes around 10 years ago. Found it very interesting but there is a lot of hanging around waiting and no-one is really able to tell you when or if you are likely to be called. Take plenty to read!

 

[patchamalbion]

which court? Lewes and you may get a decent trial! You just dont want a long-winded insurance fraud or something which would be littered with complex law and boring advocacy! Affrays and s18 and 20s are fun as its usually chavvy brawls outside Burger King and when they and their mates Daz,Dave and Don give evidence it can be pure comedy.

 

[m20gull]

I landed Croydon a few years back. As a paid employee with entitlement to Jury leave it was no burden to me - 2 weeks, 1 case.

Worst bit was getting on a tram at the end of the day and being in the same carriage as the defendants' family members who had been sat in the gallery all day!

 

[The Modfather]

Have done it twice and thoroughly enjoyed it.

However, there is a lot of sitting around twindling your thumbs, so make sure you take a good book and/or your ipod.

 

[Mtoto]

Watched the selection procedure at the Old Bailey about three years ago for a case that was scheduled to last three months. They had a pool of around 50 people, from every walk of life to look at them, but if their name came out, they had a chance to persuade the judge that they couldn't possibly spend three months sitting in court.

Some of them were desperate to get out of it. One chap passed a note to the judge, and when the judge read it, he announced that it wasn't sufficient reason to be excused, and ordered him to go and sit in the jury box. He then scribbled another, even more desperate note from the jury box, and the judge finally relented.

 

[algie]

I've been called for jury service, if it wasn't bad enough that the most I can claim as loss of earnings is £36 ......I also have to go to bloody Croydon !!!
Seriously has anyone else been called, what can I expect ?
I'm guessing that the case I'll be sitting on will be something to do with caravans !

Do it it mate.It's an experience worth going through as ypu might never get the chance again.As people have pointed out there is alot of sitting about but if you get a good case it will draw you in.I was called up at Lewes for a rape case and other offences.