Jury Duty

dellas1979

Just got called for the old jury duty there. Anyone know what to expect? I presume there is a vetting process? Am not in Dublin (or Limerick).

seamus

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/justice/Courtroom/jury_service/?searchterm=Jury

dellas1979

Thanks. I have read that. I was looking more so for peoples own experiences.

ixoy

When I did it, I went to the Four Courts where there was an ample pool of jurors. It started with a roll call of all of these jurors - you had to have had a good reason for not attending or else face a fine.

The Court then brought out various defendants - each one having had a chance to plead guilty. If they did (as the first defendant did), then no need for jurors. If not though the case needs to go to trial.

They then randomly select juror names from a hat from the pool there (I think there was about 80 of us). If you're called (I was first up!) you then walk to the jury dock. At this point, not knowing anything about you, either side can summarily dismiss you. I think they have 3 vetos each to dismiss people - they're judging you pretty much solely on your appearance. They then fill the jury box (I think there was 2 dismissals on the trial I was on) and all the selected jurors are taken away for further details.
You also had a chance at this point to try and get out of it by suddenly remembering you had a forthcoming holiday and wouldn't be able to do the trial or somesuch.

This process continues until they have all the jurors required for the cases heard that day.

At least that's how it operated for me.

Rob_l

Jury duty haha

GUILTY!

Cathmandooo

ixoy wrote: »

When I did it, I went to the Four Courts where there was an ample pool of jurors. It started with a roll call of all of these jurors - you had to have had a good reason for not attending or else face a fine.

The Court then brought out various defendants - each one having had a chance to plead guilty. If they did (as the first defendant did), then no need for jurors. If not though the case needs to go to trial.

They then randomly select juror names from a hat from the pool there (I think there was about 80 of us). If you're called (I was first up!) you then walk to the jury dock. At this point, not knowing anything about you, either side can summarily dismiss you. I think they have 3 vetos each to dismiss people - they're judging you pretty much solely on your appearance. They then fill the jury box (I think there was 2 dismissals on the trial I was on) and all the selected jurors are taken away for further details.
You also had a chance at this point to try and get out of it by suddenly remembering you had a forthcoming holiday and wouldn't be able to do the trial or somesuch.

This process continues until they have all the jurors required for the cases heard that day.

At least that's how it operated for me.

I did jury duty a few years ago and this pretty much summed it up.

It's a waiting game though so bring a book or something with you. In my experience though after the roll call they say 'jurors 100 to xxx come along here' and you queue up to go into the room to where the defendent pleads guilty or not guilty. If not guilty then they get jurors sworn in, you stand up one by one on the stand and if you're accepted you say a couple of lines with your hand on the bible and stand down and are brought off to a room beside the courtroom while the court settle in.

As far as I remember the jury are the last to enter the courtroom. You're in and out of the side room a good bit as some things need to be said to the judge without you hearing it. You also go in to discuss the issues with the other jurors.

I never took notes, some people did though. Then you go off on an escorted lunch and come back. Same thing happens for the afternoon.

5starpool

I did jury duty during the 2002 world cup, and court broke for an extended lunch so that we could all go and watch the Ireland Germany game.

razorblunt

As Homer Simpson said "the key to avoiding jury duty is to say you're prejudiced againts all races"

Drag00n79

Of course, you could always follow Larry David's example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MFebZlUJ7E