Jury duty

[Jean-Louise]

Should a citizen have to right to opt out of serving on a jury?

[Anya.186]

As you know I was just summoned.
Options are allowed but not guaranteed.
Being a single mom, head of the household is one of them.
To aid my situation I called the juror hotline and explained my case.
He seemed thoughtful so I have my fingers crossed.

Most westernized countries rely on a sort of jury system and it is mandatory
in capital cases.
I think the state is right in making it somewhat mandatory.
Still, hardships exist.

However the conviction by juries is now being looked at more seriously.
In the US, jails are dominated by minority males.
But, isn't that who commits the most crimes?
I think so without a doubt.
But recently there have been many reversals with the courts becoming
more reliant on forensic evidence than plaintiff hearsay.
I think the jury systems does work, the failures of false convictions
are completely undeserving.

When Mia Farrow, jilted wife of American actor and director Woody Allen
filed outrageous child ***h*** charges against him for leaving her
and marrying a 21 year old adoptee; the vengeance was obvious.

People are in jail because of false, or exaggerated charges, and there are far
more than states admit to.

Remember; sending a minority jail is worth some votes here.

[Anya.186]

As you know I was just summoned.
Options are allowed but not guaranteed.
Being a single mom, head of the household is one of them.
To aid my situation I called the juror hotline and explained my case.
He seemed thoughtful so I have my fingers crossed.

Most westernized countries rely on a sort of jury system and it is mandatory
in capital cases.
I think the state is right in making it somewhat mandatory.
Still, hardships exist.

However the conviction by juries is now being looked at more seriously.
In the US, jails are dominated by minority males.
But, isn't that who commits the most crimes?
I think so without a doubt.
But recently there have been many reversals with the courts becoming
more reliant on forensic evidence than plaintiff hearsay.
I think the jury systems does work, but the failures of false convictions
need more investigation.

When Mia Farrow, jilted wife of American actor and director Woody Allen
filed outrageous child ***h*** charges against him for leaving her
and marrying a 21 year old adoptee; the vengeance was obvious.

People are in jail because of false, or exaggerated charges, and there are far
more than states admit to.

Remember; sending a minority jail is worth some votes here.

[Jean-Louise]

As you know I was just summoned.
Options are allowed but not guaranteed.
Being a single mom, head of the household is one of them.
To aid my situation I called the juror hotline and explained my case.
He seemed thoughtful so I have my fingers crossed.

Most westernized countries rely on a sort of jury system and it is mandatory
in capital cases.
I think the state is right in making it somewhat mandatory.
Still, hardships exist.

However the conviction by juries is now being looked at more seriously.
In the US, jails are dominated by minority males.
But, isn't that who commits the most crimes?
I think so without a doubt.
But recently there have been many reversals with the courts becoming
more reliant on forensic evidence than plaintiff hearsay.
I think the jury systems does work, but the failures of false convictions
need more investigation.

When Mia Farrow, jilted wife of American actor and director Woody Allen
filed outrageous child ***h*** charges against him for leaving her
and marrying a 21 year old adoptee; the vengeance was obvious.

People are in jail because of false, or exaggerated charges, and there are far
more than states admit to.

Remember; sending a minority jail is worth some votes here.

I lost any faith in the jury system during the OJ Simpson trial. The verdict was a joke.

[Anya.186]

The all black jury returned a "Not Guilty" verdict against Simpson in 30 minutes.
This was after a months long trial filled with overwhelming evidence of guilt.

But it was really a failure in more ways than one.
The police planted evidence (gloves).
The prosecution foolishly allowed a minority jury.
The prosecution presented poorly.
The judge over ruled the prosecution several times in key elements of the case.
And to top it off, the judge asked Simpson for his autograph.

Some say white America got what they deserved.
I say we remain one of the most two way racist systems in the world.
We probably have earned everything we get.

[Jean-Louise]

The all black jury returned a "Not Guilty" verdict against Simpson in 30 minutes.
This was after a months long trial filled with overwhelming evidence of guilt.

But it was really a failure in more ways than one.
The police planted evidence (gloves).
The prosecution foolishly allowed a minority jury.
The prosecution presented poorly.
The judge over ruled the prosecution several times in key elements of the case.
And to top it off, the judge asked Simpson for his autograph.

Some say white America got what they deserved.
I say we remain one of the most two way racist systems in the world.
We probably have earned everything we get.

Earned what we get when it comes to racial problems. I am not sure if I buy that.
There are some bad people in this country
There are some misinformed people, as well.
The jurisprudence is not perfect.
Hopefully, the majority of trials are on the up and up.
A friend, who is a lawyer, once told me that the person who wins in a trial is the person who has the best lawyer. Guilt or innocence is the result of the competence of the lawyer.

[Anya.186]

I'll admit I'm not very experienced as a juror.
What I do know is that too many innocent people are in jail.

[franfran]

Here you can be excused from jury duty for certain reasons:

In terms of the Jury Amendment Act 2010, you may have 'good cause' to be excused if:
jury service would cause undue hardship or serious inconvenience to you, your family or the public

• you have a disability that makes you unsuitable or incapable of effectively serving as a juror, without reasonable accommodation
  there is a conflict of interest or some other knowledge, acquaintance or friendship that you have which may result in your being perceived as lacking impartiality as a juror
  people who have a permanent mental or physical impairment that makes them incapable of doing jury service or that would injure their health if they did jury service

The sheriff may also consider excusing you in other circumstances, including if:

• you are a sole trader or contractor
  you have care of school aged children and are unable to make alternate care arrangements
  you are in an advanced stage of pregnancy and/or are having medical difficulties during your pregnancy
  you have a medical condition which would make jury service onerous
  you are an emergency service operational employee
  you are enrolled in education and need to attend lectures or exams; or are living outside your jury district to undertake studies
  you have a mental or physical impairment
  you are absent from New South Wales
  you have transport difficulties, such as unsuitable or unavailable public transport.
  you are unable to read and understand English

http://www.courts.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pa ... cused.aspx

Sounds pretty reasonable to me.....

[Anya.186]

The all black jury returned a "Not Guilty" verdict against Simpson in 30 minutes.
This was after a months long trial filled with overwhelming evidence of guilt.

But it was really a failure in more ways than one.
The police planted evidence (gloves).
The prosecution foolishly allowed a minority jury.
The prosecution presented poorly.
The judge over ruled the prosecution several times in key elements of the case.
And to top it off, the judge asked Simpson for his autograph.

Some say white America got what they deserved.
I say we remain one of the most two way racist systems in the world.
We probably have earned everything we get.

Earned what we get when it comes to racial problems. I am not sure if I buy that.
There are some bad people in this country
There are some misinformed people, as well.
The jurisprudence is not perfect.
Hopefully, the majority of trials are on the up and up.
A friend, who is a lawyer, once told me that the person who wins in a trial is the person who has the best lawyer. Guilt or innocence is the result of the competence of the lawyer.

Professional contempt within the system is rampant.
Men and women join the officer ranks with good intentions; "Protect the Innocent".
But after years of having to take enforcement action against what is very
often minorities they lose their objectivity.
The same for prosecutors and judges.
Most people could not function in those capacities long term without being affected.
They are deeply racist, not really much their fault, and thus are now
willing to take executive actions based on influential racism.
Every statistic supports this and white societies response is stiffer sentencing.
Thus the incarcerated black male exits the jail as a professional criminal
only to enter a endless cycle of crime as he has been taught to do.
And whitey remains smug.

[Jean-Louise]

The all black jury returned a "Not Guilty" verdict against Simpson in 30 minutes.
This was after a months long trial filled with overwhelming evidence of guilt.

But it was really a failure in more ways than one.
The police planted evidence (gloves).
The prosecution foolishly allowed a minority jury.
The prosecution presented poorly.
The judge over ruled the prosecution several times in key elements of the case.
And to top it off, the judge asked Simpson for his autograph.

Some say white America got what they deserved.
I say we remain one of the most two way racist systems in the world.
We probably have earned everything we get.

Earned what we get when it comes to racial problems. I am not sure if I buy that.
There are some bad people in this country
There are some misinformed people, as well.
The jurisprudence is not perfect.
Hopefully, the majority of trials are on the up and up.
A friend, who is a lawyer, once told me that the person who wins in a trial is the person who has the best lawyer. Guilt or innocence is the result of the competence of the lawyer.

Professional contempt within the system is rampant.
Men and women join the officer ranks with good intentions; "Protect the Innocent".
But after years of having to take enforcement action against what is very
often minorities they lose their objectivity.
The same for prosecutors and judges.
Most people could not function in those capacities long term without being affected.
They are deeply racist, not really much their fault, and thus are now
willing to take executive actions based on influential racism.
Every statistic supports this and white societies response is stiffer sentencing.
Thus the incarcerated black male exits the jail as a professional criminal
only to enter a endless cycle of crime as he has been taught to do.
And whitey remains smug.

We have become a police state.

[arturo]

no it's your legal duty as a citizen of your country

[kinghelfer]

no it's your legal duty as a citizen of your country

[KBEES]

There was a great episode of Minder where the loveable Arthur was called for jury service.

I have never been called, though I have a friend who has been called four times, on the fourth occasion she called the jury hotline and complained it was her fourth time and was let off.

I must admit I would not have minded being called as long is was my local Crown Court and not the Old Bailey. Not that I am going to now, but could you actually volunteer? Sort of put your name forward style.

[Jean-Louise]

I think people should be able to pay a fine to opt out of jury duty. Say $50. I would gladly pay the fine. There is no more thankless job than to serve on a jury. Everyone in the courtroom is well paid, except for the jurists.

[Mati]

I've been selected three times and the first two times I didn't get a single case as I was in my 20's and a white male, the least popular demographic here in the UK it would seem.

My third time I got on a case at the Old Bailey that meant staying in a hotel and not having regular contact with my family or my partner at the time. It was a fraud case that had ended in an abandoned trial early that year. I was on that jury for nearly 14 weeks and it indirectly cost me my job.

If you can get out of it, do.

[Jean-Louise]

no it's your legal duty as a citizen of your country

Duty? To pass judgement on others? I do not see being placed on a jury as my duty as a citizen. I pay taxes and I abide by the law.
To me, being placed on a jury is like being punished for being a citizen, stupid enough to show up when summoned to appear.
It is an inconvenience and it pays little.
Let judges judge people being tried for one thing or another. They are paid good money to know the law. The lawyers and everyone else there make good money to do what they do.

[Jean-Louise]

I've been selected three times and the first two times I didn't get a single case as I was in my 20's and a white male, the least popular demographic here in the UK it would seem.

My third time I got on a case at the Old Bailey that meant staying in a hotel and not having regular contact with my family or my partner at the time. It was a fraud case that had ended in an abandoned trial early that year. I was on that jury for nearly 14 weeks and it indirectly cost me my job.

If you can get out of it, do.

You were a victim of the jury system.
People should have the right to opt out of being sentenced to serve on a jury.

[emilycurious]

If you see Kay

[KBEES]

Would I be right in thinking that if you withhold your address details from the electoral register, then you can't be called up for jury service?

The pool from which people have been selected comprises of people randomly selected by the Jury Central Summoning Bureau from the electoral register. When a court is ready to select a jury, a court official will choose a group of people who will be taken to the courtroom to enter an oath


If they use the electoral register and your address is withheld, then how would they know where to send the summons to? In the USA, I believe they also use driving licence data.

[table]

A pain .I have been excused having been in the legal profession.