Posted 30 September 2023

Just a general, curious question.......

Was just watching runaway jury.
Anyone been here on jury service before. Any tales from jury service that stand out.

And if served on jury, what did you look for in a person to decide guilty/not guilty.

I have never been on jury service and am 40 years old, but would love to do it.
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  1. adam.mt's avatar
    The purpose is to decide based upon the evidence presented (and only that). You're not deciding based on a person's look!

    ...body language, consistency, what and how it's said, will all form part of this evidence. Also, not being 100% accurate or believable doesn't necessarily indicate guilt. (edited)
    Willy_Wonka's avatar
    So you would convict someone based on body language & tone & speed of their voice & mannerisms?

    Lets hope no one gets you on the jury.

    How someone behaves in the court has got nothing to do with evidence. You would be kicked right out of court if that got back to any official. (edited)
  2. KodaBear's avatar
    You don’t look for any characteristics in a person to decide guilty or not guilty. They make it very clear before you go to deliberations that you ONLY decide based on the evidence presented in the courtroom and your own existing knowledge of the relevant topics discussed. You can do no additional research nor can you use external factors or personal prejudices against the person.

    If you believe that based on the evidence there is no reasonable doubt that they could not be guilty, they are guilty. If there is reasonable doubt you deliberate further. If you think they are not guilty then you all discuss that instead until hopefully all the jury are in agreement.
  3. tek-monkey's avatar
    Got my call up for next month, will be the first time I've done it.
  4. Mark_Hickman's avatar
    They sent for me and i didn't want to do it so i just told them i was deaf and it worked, they didn't even ask for proof (edited)
    Willy_Wonka's avatar
    I hope Mark Hickman isn't your real name
  5. Moss.b's avatar
    In long trials where jury cant reach a verdict and this happens again and again and again. Surely at this point the jury just want to go home because they are people like us right? so they all going to change to guilty because people are negative. That's why it needs to be scrapped.
    adam.mt's avatar
    More pertinently, are the jury really going to form their opinion based upon ALL the evidence!?
  6. tek-monkey's avatar
    I've got a question about claiming loss of earnings, if anyone can help?
    It says what you can claim depends on how long you're at court, but you have to take the whole day offf work as you don't know how long you'll be there, so in theory you could end up very out of pocket? You have to tell your boss in advance, so thats a week gone, but what if you go in each day and they say they don't need you? You're looking at getting about £160, which you'll have to wait to get the claim through, but you lost a weeks work which 7.5 hours a day at NMW is more like £380?


    This is what the gov page says:

    Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs
    How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

    For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

    • £64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court
    • £32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court
    If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

    • £129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court
    • £64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court
    Deedie's avatar
    dont know if it is the same as in Scotland. But up here you call the automated jury line the night before court and it will inform you if you are required or not. Doesnt give you much notice to rearrage your work commitments (edited)
  7. ANDYwwww987's avatar
    Lots of waiting around very inefficient process court starts at 10am you have to arrive around 9-9:30.finishes around 4. Got told between 12-2:30 not needed for day for 7 days of my 2 weeks. Sent out while they discuss things jury trundling in/out 20-30 minutes wasted. Assume CPS got most of their evidence kicked out as their opening statement didn't match information we were given not guilty.
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