Jury Duty

johnnydawg68 · February 4, 2013

Got called in...survived my first day without getting picked. The jury pool I was selected for was a child molestation case...NO THANK YOU. Did some fancy talking to get out of that one. Let's just say I made it very clear I would not be able to be impartial.

Have to go back tomorrow. Just need to get lucky and not get picked.

Funny thing is, if it wasn't for me losing out on a lot of wages by being there, I'd actually like to do it. Got picked once before. It was pretty fascinating. But the amount of money I lose by not being able to work makes it impossible for me to be excited about doing my civic duty.

What's the deal over the in the UK re: sitting on juries?

Bilbo · February 4, 2013

I did it once for a murder trial. We sent the accused down for life, but it was bloody fascinating, and I really enjoyed it. 2 weeks out of work for me.

Bigmaclad · February 4, 2013

My teacher did a three month jury duty for a child murder case, he said it was absolutely horrifying.

Groucho · February 4, 2013

I think we get expenses and loss of earnings over here. Do we, lads?

johnnydawg68 · February 4, 2013

Groucho said:
I think we get expenses and loss of earnings over here. Do we, lads?

We get very minimal pay. Not even in the same hemisphere as what I make. It's a real financial blow.

Bigmaclad · February 4, 2013

Just smile at them Jdawg and they'll chuck money at you.

The Esk · February 4, 2013

Groucho said:
I think we get expenses and loss of earnings over here. Do we, lads?

Yes subject to some pretty low limits though:

https://www.gov.uk/jury-service/what-you-can-claim

Groucho · February 4, 2013

johnnydawg68 said:
We get very minimal pay. Not even in the same hemisphere as what I make. It's a real financial blow.

Thanks Mr Esk.

Yeah, it's not exactly an incentive to do the right thing, is it?

Librarian · February 5, 2013

Being selected on a 'Jury of his peers' to a kiddie fiddler would be a bit of an insult, punch someone JD, punch them out from under their wigs.

chrissyjack · February 5, 2013

the esk said:
Yes subject to some pretty low limits though:

https://www.gov.uk/jury-service/what-you-can-claim

If I sat for 4 hrs for the first 10 days, I'be worse off . I'd have to keep the trial going to not miss out financially

johnnydawg68 · February 5, 2013

Here's what I get:

"A $40.00 attendance fee is paid for each day you are required to and do report for duty, whether or not you are selected to serve. You will be paid 56.5 cents per mile round trip from your home to the Courthouse as reimbursement for your travel expense".

Gwladys St. Glory · February 5, 2013

Groucho said:
Thanks Mr Esk.

Yeah, it's not exactly an incentive to do the right thing, is it?

It's a civic duty, though...last judge I had went off on everyone because of all the BS excuses that were being thrown about. Fair play to him, as it does make a mockery of the already maligned justice system. I understand people's frustration with it, I guess you just have to hope you're never involved in a case yourself and left wondering why the system takes so long.

noharmdone · February 5, 2013

Im in court all the time through work.. next in two weeks.. as a witness, its a pain in the ar*e..
Crown court, you could get a decent case which lasts a few weeks, or something totally gash which lasts a few days.

Very little in the way of making lost earnings back, but, you could get something your actually interested in ? Looking on the brightside like ?

johnnydawg68 · February 5, 2013

Gwladys St. Glory said:
It's a civic duty, though...last judge I had went off on everyone because of all the BS excuses that were being thrown about. Fair play to him, as it does make a mockery of the already maligned justice system. I understand people's frustration with it, I guess you just have to hope you're never involved in a case yourself and left wondering why the system takes so long.

The thing is they tell you most trials only last a day or two. Except when I did get picked it went on a week and only ended because they settled. Luckily I was in a job where I still got paid then. Not so now. When I got in there today and found it was a criminal case involving statutory rape of a child...that **** doesn't get settled. I'd have been there for weeks and weeks. I can't do that. I'm not in financial position to do so. Honestly, if I wasn't working or if I worked for a company that gave me paid time for jury duty...sign me up.

Gwladys St. Glory · February 5, 2013

johnnydawg68 said:
The thing is they tell you most trials only last a day or two. Except when I did get picked it went on a week and only ended because they settled. Luckily I was in a job where I still got paid then. Not so now. When I got in there today and found it was a criminal case involving statutory rape of a child...that **** doesn't get settled. I'd have been there for weeks and weeks. I can't do that. I'm not in financial position to do so. Honestly, if I wasn't working or if I worked for a company that gave me paid time for jury duty...sign me up.

Nah, I understand...it's one of those things that's been complained about for eons but they've never fully solved because of how the system is meant to work.