Jury service. How cna I avoid this?

[sandyRoe]

I know it's a public duty but it's something I'd rather not do. Any suggestions?

[bednobs]

in the letter that they send you they tell you what grounds you can have to get out of it. Read the letter

[R1Geezer]

turn up with a copy of the Daily Mail and the defence will object. Alternativley turn up with a CND T shirt and a copy of the socialist worker under one arem and the prosecution will object!

[TonyV]

bednobs & R1 - sound advice lol
Sandy - think you have to turn up on first day

[Whickerman]

Do what R1 states - works.

If all else fails, answer every question with a sentence beginning with the words 'According to the prophecy...' and you'll be out fairly quickly.

[joggerjayne]

Nod at each Defendant in turn, and whisper to your neighbour ... "He looks guilty."

[Jemisa]

Why Sandy do you want to get out of it?
I thought the 2 weeks I was at Stratford Crown Court on jury service was a real eye opener and a learning curve, I enjoyed it.
In 2 weeks I was called to sit on the jury of 3 different cases (Theft, Corruption, Fraud)
Very interesting. I'd love to be called again.

jem

[arwyn]

Get a sick note off the doctor thats what an old Aunt of mine did.

[arwyn]

I also loved it. I had three cases in the two weeks, smash and grab - attemted armed robbery. - and an awfull child abuse that one was bad ie photos and details bad bad bad

[Davethedog]

I have done it 3 times - I found it the most boring thing ever. Even the cases are tiresome not at all like the telly.

Short answer you can't. If you are self employed or your company is soley dependant you can but you have to prove it. You can get a medical dispensation but they are aware of all usual and check.

When I was called the 3rd time I tried everything and I mean everything no chance, the only thing you can do is ask for a deferment but they will call you again.

You never know you might enjoy it. Take a good book and a loaded MP3 player.

Good Luck

[alexanderd]

get locked up or plead insanity

[TTG]

You can ask your place of employment to defer you from jury service just the once. You will be given a later date for the service though. You will be paid expenses. It's very interesting and worth doing.

[TTG]

As been mentioned, take something to read. You might not be called into court. Even then, you might not be selected to sit on that courts jury so there is a lot of waiting around.

[arwyn]

My Step-dad got so worked up with worry the night before he was due to start his jury service that he ended up calling an ambulance he thought he was having a heart attack. They told him it was a panic attack and left. honest he worrys about anything.

[eyethenkyew]

Just saying "Nope, I don't want to bother" will not be accepted as a feasible reason for basically getting out of what is your public duty.

Have a look at this link which gives guidance under what circumstances excusals may be granted:

http://www.hmcourts-s.../js_guidance_0709.pdf

[sandyRoe]

I suppose mentioning Matthew 7:1 would be no use? 'Judge not, lest you be judged.'

[joko]

my dad is terrified of this...he believes the criminals will remember him and hunt him down for revenge...

he has a second hand shop and believes all the local no-marks know him and where he will be as they try to sell him stolen goods...

[joko]

write a mad rambling letter begging to be let off...spout all sorts of religious claptrap etc ...basically sound like a nutter...

[ganesh]

I must admit it would worry me too,what if you have children to look after,take to school etc or do they not ask women of that sort of age?

[FoxLee2]

Yes, they do ask young women and if they have young children, will pay for nursery costs. My daughter-in-law has been in this country for 6 or 7 years and she got called for jury service. She had a holiday booked so was able to defer. Then she got called again for a few months time but fell pregnant in the meantime. We laughed because my husband and I (in our sixties) have never done jury service, neither has either of our sons and yet dil in the country for five minutes, relatively speaking, got called. I shouldn't have laughed as I got called last October. I was really dreading it wondering about loo breaks and the ability to concentrate for hours at a time. I looked on line to see if there were extra reasons to avoid it and apparently only 20% of people return the form. You don't have to sign for the initial papers so how would they know if they were received. Anyway, I did my duty and was only called for two days out of the fortnight. It was interesting up to a point but, as has been said, there is a lot of waiting around.

[Jemisa]

Your name is picked from the electorial role, they don't go into backround whether you're a mum, oap, builder or toff also mentally retarded people can be called if they're on the role.
Its up to you or others to decide and organise your life around it if you can.
They will keep recalling you though until you have done your duty.Unless you are mentally unfit of course.