Do individual jury members typically occupy the same seat every day?

coylemj

I was on a jury a few years ago in the Four Courts for a case which lasted several days. I was the foreman so I sat closest to the judge in the front row but I noticed that each of my fellow jurors always sat in the same seat every time we assembled in the courtroom. I don't recall that this was suggested to us by the judge, it just seemed to happen.

Do you practitioners see this happening (1) often (2) always (3) seldom?

Red Nissan

You should remember that the seats are numbered, and as one is accepted, one occupies the next seat.

For security this arrangement has come under and been under review. I sat twice as I recall, only to be dismissed, so I guess that may not be satisfactory.

We were in the jury room and filed out, so presumably we occupied the same seats, be that by design or function, or both.

Bepolite

I've read transcripts where the Judge has told the jurors he doesn't mind where they sit as long as the foreman sits closest too him. I've no idea how normal that is.

coylemj

Bepolite wrote: »

I've read transcripts where the Judge has told the jurors he doesn't mind where they sit as long as the foreman sits closest too him. I've no idea how normal that is.

Even without being told to do so, I sat closest to the judge because we (I) knew that the judge will occasionally address the jury via the foreman plus in the case where I was involved, at one stage the jury members in the back row couldn't hear a witness because she had a very quiet voice so they tapped me on the shoulder and I had to ask the judge to request the witness to speak into the microphone.

I think we've all seen enough TV to know that the foreman sits closest to the judge. When we came back into the court after being empanelled, the judge asked if we had nominated a foreman and when I stood up and said I was the foreman, he didn't need to ask me to sit in the front seat on his side of our front row because I was already there so we received no direction from him as to where any of of us should sit.

I'm just asking if it's common practice for the other members of the jury to occupy the same seat on each day of the case.

Bepolite

I'm sorry my post doesn't seem to have met with your satisfaction :pac:

coylemj

Bepolite wrote: »

I'm sorry my post doesn't seem to have met with your satisfaction :pac:

You claim...

Bepolite wrote: »

I've read transcripts

You do realise that they are only typed up from the shorthand notes in the event of an appeal so are you an appeal lawyer or what's your game?

Pro Hoc Vice

coylemj wrote: »

Even without being told to do so, I sat closest to the judge because we (I) knew that the judge will occasionally address the jury via the foreman plus in the case where I was involved, at one stage the jury members in the back row couldn't hear a witness because she had a very quiet voice so they tapped me on the shoulder and I had to ask the judge to request the witness to speak into the microphone.

I think we've all seen enough TV to know that the foreman sits closest to the judge. When we came back into the court after being empanelled, the judge asked if we had nominated a foreman and when I stood up and said I was the foreman, he didn't need to ask me to sit in the front seat on his side of our front row because I was already there so we received no direction from him as to where any of of us should sit.

I'm just asking if it's common practice for the other members of the jury to occupy the same seat on each day of the case.

I have seen jury foremen being asked to sit where you say. Other than that I have never heard any instruction for any other jury member to sit in any particular place. I assume its human nature, just like first day in school, or in a lecture. Habit we sit where we first sit.

Pro Hoc Vice

coylemj wrote: »

You claim...



You do realise that they are only typed up from the shorthand notes in the event of an appeal so are you an appeal lawyer or what's your game?

Not been short hand for a few years now, its all fancy Digital Audio Recording. But you are correct unless somebody works in a Solicitors office, or court office or for a barrister doubt they would ever see a transcript.

johnnyskeleton

It's normal for any group of people to go back to the same seats, leave their notepads there etc. however, it's not required by law, it just happens

Bepolite

infosys wrote: »

Not been short hand for a few years now, its all fancy Digital Audio Recording. But you are correct unless somebody works in a Solicitors office, or court office or for a barrister doubt they would ever see a transcript.

There are other people that see them - I'm one.

EDIT: To be fair the ones I see date from c1900-2010 so I suspect various methods have been used.

NoQuarter

coylemj wrote: »

You claim...



You do realise that they are only typed up from the shorthand notes in the event of an appeal so are you an appeal lawyer or what's your game?

1. What?

2. What's an appeal lawyer?

Pro Hoc Vice

Bepolite wrote: »

There are other people that see them - I'm one.

EDIT: To be fair the ones I see date from c1900-2010 so I suspect various methods have been used.

Well once a solicitors office have received the transcript there is nothing stoping them a giving same to any interested party.but I don't think its possible for a member of the public to get a transcript direct from the courts.

Bepolite

infosys wrote: »

Well once a solicitors office have received the transcript there is nothing stoping them a giving same to any interested party.but I don't think its possible for a member of the public to get a transcript direct from the courts.

I'm not sure if they're public record, I'd be interested to know that actually. We get ours from parties to the case. They range from the client themselves, if they're still living, family or people that have aquired them through research.

There's actually a a plethora of people that pour-over(sp?) court transcripts other than legal professionals, some seem to make quite a good living from writing about cold cases. I'm precluded from doing that but perhaps a nice retirement plan in due course!

Phoebas

I did jury duty just once.
Everyone sat in the same seat both in the court and in the jury room. Nobody told us to do this, so I guess it doesn't have to be the case.