Jobs & Education2 mins ago
jury duty
31 Answers
I am watching a show on BBC 1 and one of the subjects is jury duty. A man who refused was charged and given a fine for refusing to take part.
Do you think this is right. Should people have a right to say no if they don't want to take part?
Do some people, like the man talking now who has done it twice so far and likes doing it, take part on a jury because in some weird sense they like to pass judgement on others?
Could you do and have you? Or have you refused to do it? is there a legitimate reason not to take part i.e illness?
I personally couldn't do it. I am not in a position, I feel, to pass judgement on another human.
Thanks for your time
Do you think this is right. Should people have a right to say no if they don't want to take part?
Do some people, like the man talking now who has done it twice so far and likes doing it, take part on a jury because in some weird sense they like to pass judgement on others?
Could you do and have you? Or have you refused to do it? is there a legitimate reason not to take part i.e illness?
I personally couldn't do it. I am not in a position, I feel, to pass judgement on another human.
Thanks for your time
Answers
I did it last year.. The original date was due to be over the Christmas holidays, but I sent an e-mail saying I'm a single mother with the children off school, so they deferred it and I did it in the summer... We had two cases.. the second one was thrown out because of the wording ... apparently a crow bar isn't a 'weapon' as it has a primary function as a tool, so the...
19:47 Tue 12th Jan 2010
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It is an interesting experience. I have been called several times the first time at the Old Bailey and served subsequently at a Crown Court. As New Judge says, you have to do it. You can defer it for various reasons, but you will get called again if you do.
The Law about no Jury trials is a recent piece of legislation, but only in certain circumstances - see for reference http://business.times...aw/article6984904.ece
The Law about no Jury trials is a recent piece of legislation, but only in certain circumstances - see for reference http://business.times...aw/article6984904.ece
Done it twice. Once at Old Bailey, once at Chelmsford, now been called again at Basildon. In my opinion, one of the most worthwhile experiences of my life. As has been said previously, you do not pass judgement, merely decide between you, after due consideration of the evidence presented whether the defendant(s) did or did not commit whatever they are accused of. Judgement is what holds the fabric of life together, if 12 citizens can't reach an agreement over what is basically right or wrong, then civilization would descend into a mire of anarchy and chaos. I would urge anyone called to jury service to accept, you would never then say someone didn't get a fair trial. That's not to say there haven't been wrong verdicts, but the jury can only decide on the evidence and arguments presented. If those are flawed, wrong verdicts inevitably follow.
Did it a few years ago, very demanding, dragged on for just over 3 weeks, but wouldn't have missed it for anything. We took quite a while to agree as one lady on the jury was the sort who just could not see the bad side of anyone and was sure the defendant was innocent. Took a lot of discussion, not arguments, to explain why the rest of us felt as we did and we all agreed "guilty" in the end. The best feeling in the world was after giving our verdict, they then read out all the many previous convictions, sentences etc and we knew we were right with our verdict.
I have been called on jury service three times.On each occasion,I found the cases
tried to be very interesting and varied.
The best thing it showed for me,was an insight into how the legal system works.I would suggest to anybody,unless exempt,to attend.They will find it very interesting and informative.
tried to be very interesting and varied.
The best thing it showed for me,was an insight into how the legal system works.I would suggest to anybody,unless exempt,to attend.They will find it very interesting and informative.