Jury Service

[Steve P]

Started yesterday. Spend almost the whole time sat in the waiting room reading, but got taken in as part of a jury right at the end of the day. Case begins properly this morning. I'll tell more once it's all over.

[saratink]

I got a question about this actually..

What about students?

If i got called away for a week it would put me so behind with college work because we're having so much work in such a short space of time! I was away from class for about 40 minutes and thought it was terrible...!

Would they be able to reshedule for summer or something?!

Edited November 23, 2010 by saratink

[Paul ™]

Yeah it can be defered, usually till out of term time

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/courtfinder/forms/js_guidance_0709.pdf

[Steve P]

Well I now know how some cases last for so long, if you're lucky you're sat in court hearing evidence 3 hours a day. Got selected for a jury yesterday afternoon, and was in court for an hour whilst the first witness was interviewed. In court for 30 mins this morning before being sent for lunch. Sat around for another 2 hours before being called back in to court only to be told be the judge that because of "a point of law" the case would have to be re-tried by another jury. Life as a judge seems pretty sweet.

[Steve P]

And now i'm all done. Sat waiting most of today only to be told that the defendants on the cases I may have been called onto had changed their pleas at the last minute. Been told that's it now and i'm discharged. It means I have to go back to the office where I'm over half of the staff have been told they're redundant (including me) - the atmosphere should be very special.

Very disappointed that I didn't get on a more interesting trial, not a single evidence bag or exciting cross examination in sight. Where's Omar when you need him?