A question re. Jury's and councilling..

arybvtcw0eolkf

I'm following the a particularly gruesome murder trail, not sure if I'm allowed mention names but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know which one.

One of my kids asked me tonight if the Jury will receive or be offered councilling after the trail.

Its not something I've ever thought about and had no answers.

So would it be the norm for councilling after a particularly difficult/gruesome trail like this or is a jury dismissed and sent home on the merry way?.

MarkAnthony

Very interesting question, kudos on your intelligent child. Not 100% sure I'd want mine following that particular court case but what can you do?

Pat Mustard

I haven't heard of it happening in Ireland but it happens in the UK and other jurisdictions.

arybvtcw0eolkf

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Very interesting question, kudos on your intelligent child. Not 100% sure I'd want mine following that particular court case but what can you do?

Well when I say "kids" you'll have to excuse my parenting inclination to still seeing my grown up 'kids' as kids, he's 23 lol.

MarkAnthony

Zaylee Slow Stripe wrote: »

Well when I say "kids" you'll have to excuse my parenting inclination to still seeing my grown up 'kids' as kids, he's 23 lol.

Oh well :pac:

Lmklad

The jury are more then likely going to be excused further duty for life. If the Judge is inclined he can direct counselling services be offered.

Stheno

I'd hope they will be offered counselling, just reading the reports in the papers about it makes me feel ill.

God love them having to sit through the more graphic testimony that has been described and then being asked to be objective about the evidence.

Ash.J.Williams

that particular jury deserve a holiday!

LoonyLovegood

My dad was on a particularly gruesome murder trial a few years back. The entire jury was excused from service for life (and the particular judge who was presiding is well known for rarely allowing this, which says how bad it was), and they were give a phone number for a free counselling service if they needed it after the trial had ended.

thesimpsons

I thought about this myself during the week. Not sure I could handle some of the details which are coming out. at a minimum I'd expect the jury to be excused jury service for life - as much for the length of the trial so far as for what they have had to listen to. what would happen in the case that a jurior decided they just couldn't continue hearing the evidence ? does it continue with 11 juriors. I suppose it'd be no different from someone getting appendicitis?

P_1

Actually on a slight tangent, can a juror request to not serve on a particular trial if they realise that it may be a particular harrowing on to serve or it a case that once you're sworn in, you're in it for the duration?

Victor

If you have a problem serving, you should raise it with the judge (you can do so in privacy) immediately that you are ware of it. For example, I was called for jury service recently and I knew one of the solicitors (there was a risk that I would be deferential to them), one of the jurors (not normally an excusing reason in itself) and I knew the accused's family by reputation (there was a risk that I would be prejudiced against them) who lived near my workplace.

Generally, if you have been sworn in and the trial has commenced, you are in for the duration. After that, the only way out would be serious illness, family bereavement, etc. Alternatively, if the trial ran on longer than expected and you had flagged that after X point you might not be able to serve, e.g. you have an exam 3 weeks after the trial is expected to finish, but the trial runs on until the week of your exam. Then you might be excused after being sworn in.

FactCheck

The Irish Times has a short article today outlining that the Courts Service does offer counselling in certain circumstances:

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/offer-of-counselling-to-dwyer-jurors-after-graphic-sex-violence-evidence-1.2156390

conorh91

Good to hear. I'd say the court reporters were affected by it too, although they of course didn't carry the same burden as the jurors.

P_1

Excused from service for 30 years is a bit stingy mind all things considered.

Pat Mustard

P_1 wrote: »

Excused from service for 30 years is a bit stingy mind all things considered.

That's true but the problem is that people who are both willing and eligible for jury service are not a massive resource. We need these people, unfortunately for them.