Questions regarding Jury Duty

Hogzy

Dont think this is in the right area so mods feel free to move,

I have Jury duty coming up soon in Cork Circuit Court...

When arrive is there some place special for me to go?

What do i wear? Dont want to wear a suit if ill be the only person wearing a suit! Dont wanna be too casual either...

Any help much appriciated...

Again sorry if this is posted in the wrong area!

Ab roller plus

If you wear a suit people will think your the accused!:D

Honestly, you can wear whatever you like. Something comfortable I'd say, maybe a little black number to keep the judge happy!

You may not actally be selected for the jury just yet. There is a sort of selection process.

On the day just go straight to the Circuit Court Office and they will tell you where to go.

Reloc8

Yes there will be a designated area for you - not sure where that is in Cork Courthouse. You'll likely see lots of people milling around in the same position - shouldn't be hard to go where you're need.

There will be people wearing all sorts. I'd always advise to wear clothes that you will be comfortable in for the day as opposed to anything else, and wear layers as some courtrooms are unpredictably hot and cold. There's nothing wrong with jeans, casual shoes, t-shirt and a jumper etc or their female equivalent - you wouldn't be considered overly informal at all.

Also don't believe the myth that if you wear a suit and carry the Irish Times you won't get put on a jury.

Ace2007

if you have a job - then come to court in whatever you were for the job, as if ur not called you should go back to work.

otherwise wear anything, doesn't make a difference if its hoodie/jeans/runners or shirt and tie.

Jo King

The clothing a prospective juror wears has an influence on whether they will be challenged without cause by either side. usually anybody in a suit will be challenged by the defence. Anybody in a hoodie will be challenged by the prosecution. Occasionally it may be the other way around usually when the defendant is foreign.

Ace2007

it doesn't matter what you wear, you may get challenge regardless, i wore a hoodie and wasn't challenged, i've seen guys wear suits and not challenge, and i've seen guys wearin a shirt/jeans get challenged


on a side note, rape cases - you probably won't see a woman over the age of 40 from what i've been told and personally seen on a jury.

pwd

What you wear does effect the likelihood of being challenged. It's true you might be challenged anyway, because what you wear isn't the only factor.
I think if you put yourself across as quiet you are less likely to be challenged by either side, as they will not think you will have a strong influence on the other jury members. On the other hand if you put yourself across quite strongly they'll think you are more likely to have a stronger influence on the other jurors.
So if you don't want to be on a trial, wear a suit, glower, and shake your head - or wear a tracksuit, grin, and roll your eyes.

Reloc8

With all (due) respect, I would like to ask whether you're basing that on experience and if so what experience or anecdote, pwd.

pwd

Basing that on experience of being on a jury for a 2 week trial.
A number of candidate jurors were challenged by both sides.
Just stating my opinion based on the impression I got, and my own logic based on it.
There was a good bit of deliberation. A consensus was reached with one verdict only because it seemed unlikely that everyone could be talked around to the other, and everyone was sick of it at that stage.

Reloc8

Fair enough thanks for the answer.

Jo King

I have seen it myself. Defence challenging 6 middle aged women. prosecution challenging 4 young men.