Jury service advice....

A and B in the Huzzie said:
I was in exactly your situation. I called them up and explained the situation and was told I didn't need to attend. Shortly after I got a letter to confirm this and it went on to say I would never be called again.

Actually I would like to do it one day when it's more convenient to me but I seems they are human and have some compassion.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that one !!

Thanks to everyone of course but your post is exactly what I was kinda hoping for..

It’s not that I don’t want to do my bit. Far from it. But I have responsibilities at home whether I like it or not. ,

My wife is disabled but we don’t claim. Well we do get a blue badge which helps but nowt else. Also as above I don’t claim for carers money even though my doctor advised me I should. I suffered depression as a result of things in general and the doc said I was silly not to claim but forms and things stand in the way.

I think I will ask the doc for a letter and see if that does the trick
 
Charlie said:
I suffered depression as a result of things in general and the doc said I was silly not to claim but forms and things stand in the way.
Click to expand...

Seriously get someone else to do the forms.
They will ask questions and you answer and they will write the answer down.

No reason not to.
 
pappajohn said:
On day one say you know the defendant. :xgrin:
Click to expand...
That will not work. You will be assigned to a second or third case

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Wife got called for Jury Service at Christmas last year, well for the week before Christmas. As you know you are required for a period of two weeks and we were booked to go away for our winter break at the end of the second week. Our worry was that she got a longer term case but having no grounds to refuse we just accepted it.

First two days, not called. Third day they were told no further cases until after Christmas - go home. Wife spoke to the clerk and told her of our plans - no problem she said, you're released!
 
I have been called twice and asked to be excused twice. Each time it was granted. The latest time I was called one August .. I explained that, as a primary teacher with an autistic pupil, they would find the change of teacher so early in the year very distressing. I would put it in writing and plain that you are your wife’s carer. You could say that she finds change of routine and people difficult to cope with. You may find they are sympathetic to your plight. Good luck.
 
Silver-Fox said:
Seriously get someone else to do the forms.
They will ask questions and you answer and they will write the answer down.

No reason not to.
Click to expand...
Agreed, most towns have a disabled advise group who have experienced advisors who will fill any forms for you and stamp it with the groups official stamp.
Much better than struggling yourself.
 
The general said:
If true you will be excused but mucking about with the court system is frowned upon big time
Click to expand...
I think you will find they will check whether the defendant knows you and whether he is happy for you to sit.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
No chance of taking the wife and sticking her in the gallery ? As long as you dont talk about it at home. I would call it a day out for her.
Similarly if they pay car parking fees why not take the motorhome ?:xdoh:
 
I really didn’t want to do it and by the sound of it neither does anyone else.
I think they are now making it much harder to get out of as so many people try to avoid it.
 
1ten said:
I really didn’t want to do it and by the sound of it neither does anyone else.
I think they are now making it much harder to get out of as so many people try to avoid it.
Click to expand...

I found it fascinating. From my experience the other jurors just wanted to get away and did not really have anyone else's interests at heart apart from their own in wanting to go home. So left with uncomfortable feeling that justice was not done only speedy decision to expedite matters.
 
Pekepal said:
I found it fascinating. From my experience the other jurors just wanted to get away and did not really have anyone else's interests at heart apart from their own in wanting to go home. So left with uncomfortable feeling that justice was not done only speedy decision to expedite matters.
Click to expand...
And why do you think that was the case ?
 
Pekepal said:
I found it fascinating. From my experience the other jurors just wanted to get away and did not really have anyone else's interests at heart apart from their own in wanting to go home. So left with uncomfortable feeling that justice was not done only speedy decision to expedite matters.
Click to expand...

I found the process interesting and felt the jury was fully engaged. After two days the judge accepted a split desicion.
If everyone avoided it we would have no justice system.
I wouldn’t volunteer but understand the need and why it is difficult to get out of

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Might help if they put a better value on the price of the jury by paying them more money. After all the judge does not do it out of the kindness of his heart, it’s for the money.
 
Ivory55 said:
And why do you think that was the case ?
Click to expand...
As all they were interested in was getting home. Never had confidence in Jury system since. There was a lot of huffing and puffing if anyone wanted to ask a question of the legal adviser and it did get to feel like intimidation.
 
Both my husband and I have always wanted to do it but never been called. Was about to post that too late now but then I read that the upper age limit has been raised to 75.
I’m sure that the electoral roll forms that come every year, still says tick if over 70.
 
Pekepal said:
I found it fascinating. From my experience the other jurors just wanted to get away and did not really have anyone else's interests at heart apart from their own in wanting to go home. So left with uncomfortable feeling that justice was not done only speedy decision to expedite matters.
Click to expand...
Yes I agree, there was a large element of that. Maybe if some small payment were made to those that lost wages by attending would help. I did lose any wages as my employer agreed to keep paying me. I also did not claim any expenses as I used my bus pass and took lunch in the juror’s canteen
 
Charlie said:
Slightly unusual one here !!

I’ve had notification that I have to do jury service.... I really don’t want to do it for personal reasons.....

The only solid reason I can give is I am my wife’s carer .. But as we choose not to claim money for that I’m supposing they would not accept that as an excuse.

I no longer work nor do I claim any benefits whatsoever. If I have to do it it seems I get no money other than travelling expenses so to pay for a carer for the duration however long it is would have to come out of our pockets... Im not very good at understanding the stuff on the internet about these things !

As far as the government are concerned I’m retired early claiming nothing at all. That is if fact exactly how it is.

I’m hoping some of you with experience can offer me some advice on how I stand regarding having to do the service or not and if I can claim expenses even if it’s only to cover someone looking after my wife.

What a lovely thing to have through the post on Christmas Eve... Mmmm
Click to expand...
I cannot see why your wife's GP would not write a letter to support you. We used to do that sort of thing all the time. The court won't care one way or another whether you claim carer's allowance. Some courts do seem to be more understanding than others about who they let off. I definitely wouldn't lie about knowing defendants or being racist etc, that is just ludicrous and asking for trouble.
Good luck, what a worry for you and your wife. Citizens advice in some areas can be very helpful with filling in the blasted forms. Even if you have to wait a while it might be worth considering.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Pekepal said:
As all they were interested in was getting home. Never had confidence in Jury system since. There was a lot of huffing and puffing if anyone wanted to ask a question of the legal adviser and it did get to feel like intimidation.
Click to expand...
May be they felt that they had been sentenced to community service but had committed no crime, may be they felt their sentences was worse then given to some criminal.
 
Mr Chrysalis said:
I just found this on the internet
“A decision about whether or not I am elligle to attend jury service was made in just 15 minutes today.
I am a full time carer for my partner, who is disabled following a stroke 10 years ago and Rhumatoid Arthritis more recently. I got a form 2 days ago to fill in and return to say that I was available for jury service. Because of my partners lack of mobility I have to attend to her frequently during the day. It is going to be very difficult if I am away all day doing jury service.
I sent an email, ellaborating on my daily tasks, to the Jurers Management team and also mentioned that our Doctor is sending me a letter confirming my partners mobility problems. But despite all this I got a reply within 15 minutes stating:

Unfortunately, at this time, being a carer is not grounds for exemption. I would therefore be grateful if you could complete and return your Form of Return in the pre-paid envelope provided.
Is this the usual response to carers or has any other carers received a sympathic response to their situation?”

Here is a link to that forum

https://www.carersuk.org/forum/support-and-advice/all-about-caring/jury-service-17813
Click to expand...

Being a carer may not be a suitable excuse... Perhaps I could take my wife along with me ?

We live way out and I do mean way out in the sticks. We have just one neighbour who lives about 200 yards from us but they are out at work all day..

So I would hope or imagine this would be taken into consideration or I will simply have no choice but to turn up on the day with my first responsibilities with me.
 
Ivory55 said:
I do think that they should pay people a lot more for doing jury service than they do at present, after all its 2 or 3 weeks out of your life that you will never get back for something that’s nothing to do with you.
Click to expand...

I’m not working. Nor am I claiming a penny coin. With that in mind what would I be paid I wonder ?

The basic stuff I’ve looked at suggests I personally would get £5 a day travelling money. It would actually cost about £12 a day in diesel as we live some distance from the court.

I do understand jurors are needed but is it reasonable for it to cost us money ?

I think it would be an interesting thing to do. If I’m honest it would be like a little respite for me. Blimey saying that makes me feel ashamed.

I will ring them and explain that I’m either provided with a carer to take my place or they best set the table for one extra person...

Ahhh if only it were that easy. It’s actually worrying for me in seriousness.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
In your circumstances you should not be forced to do it in my opinion. I think some value should be added to the job and in today’s world that means money. After all even charity is money , how many hundreds of thousands are paid to charity bosses, MPs is a public job but they get thousands plus expenses. They pay thousands in legal aid to people like Cheri Blair so why can’t they pay a decent amount for the jury ?
 
Charlie said:
Being a carer may not be a suitable excuse... Perhaps I could take my wife along with me ?

We live way out and I do mean way out in the sticks. We have just one neighbour who lives about 200 yards from us but they are out at work all day..

So I would hope or imagine this would be taken into consideration or I will simply have no choice but to turn up on the day with my first responsibilities with me.
Click to expand...
I’m sorry but you do need to sort this before the first day. The Jury service has quite strong security and they will not let your wife in. If you can’t get anyone localto help you with the forms, I’d be glad to help down the end of a phone
 
I was called a few years back and when called for a potential long case I explained as the owner manager of a business I couldn’t be away for an extended period. All ok said the judge, you can go. Just as well as it took 5 months for no decision then the same again at a retrial
What a waste of people’s time. The volunteers seemed to be mainly public sector folks who would be on full wages and on a break from their jobs.

I’d call them after Christmas and if necessary follow up with a letter from you and your GP.

Good luck.
 
I have been called 4 times for jury service so far and still a few years till to old so still counting .

I find it very interesting and informative although can be a bit of a inconvenience .
 
Mr Chrysalis said:
I’m sorry but you do need to sort this before the first day. The Jury service has quite strong security and they will not let your wife in. If you can’t get anyone localto help you with the forms, I’d be glad to help down the end of a phone
Click to expand...

I think you’ve read my post as literal.... Look closer and you will see I wrote lower down I was not serious..

I have looked and listened carefully at the posts above and I will be on it immediately after the holidays.

However and I am being serious..... If I’m not provided with help and I’m forced to attend or leave my wife alone I would have to consider my options. I can’t see that happening though surely.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top