Jury Duty for Students

FionnK86

I got called for Jury Duty yesterday. I've a summer job in a Bus Company, but study in The University of Limerick. Could I get exempted from jury duty as it states "Full Time students" are exempt?

mocha please!

Just get a letter from your employer stating that it's a busy time of the year and they can't afford to have you away from work on those dates, so please could you be excused this time.

That's what I did and I got excused ... not by choice! I'd have much rathered the jury duty!!! But my employers at the time wouldn't hear of it.

FionnK86

mocha please! wrote: »

Just get a letter from your employer stating that it's a busy time of the year and they can't afford to have you away from work on those dates, so please could you be excused this time.

That's what I did and I got excused ... not by choice! I'd have much rathered the jury duty!!! But my employers at the time wouldn't hear of it.

I would rather work to be honest, did you have to turn up on the day with the letter?

myshirt

FionnK86 wrote: »

I would rather work to be honest, did you have to turn up on the day with the letter?

No, send it to the registrar, and to be honest with you, you don't have a choice, jury duty is fundamental to our system and it is your civic duty. You will get absolutely hammered for the I'd rather work approach, you are going to find yourself deep in the sh!t, this is no joke, you have to do it unless you absolutely cannot.

It is not often that a civil servant or public employee will voluntarily do overtime for no pay, but jury duty dodgers is one of those areas, it really boils their blood and they are determined to nail them to the full extent available, fines, prison, whatever they can get.

FionnK86

myshirt wrote: »

No, send it to the registrar, and to be honest with you, you don't have a choice, jury duty is fundamental to our system and it is your civic duty. You will get absolutely hammered for the I'd rather work approach, you are going to find yourself deep in the sh!t, this is no joke, you have to do it unless you absolutely cannot.

But it says "Full Time Students" are exempt. What qualifies someone as a full time student?

Euthro

happened to me when i was in college, send an email outlining it and you won't have to attend on the day

FionnK86

Euthro wrote: »

happened to me when i was in college, send an email outlining it and you won't have to attend on the day

I'm on a summer break from college (working through it), so I am wondering am I a full time student.

History Queen

myshirt wrote: »

No, send it to the registrar, and to be honest with you, you don't have a choice, jury duty is fundamental to our system and it is your civic duty. You will get absolutely hammered for the I'd rather work approach, you are going to find yourself deep in the sh!t, this is no joke, you have to do it unless you absolutely cannot.

It is not often that a civil servant or public employee will voluntarily do overtime for no pay, but jury duty dodgers is one of those areas, it really boils their blood and they are determined to nail them to the full extent available, fines, prison, whatever they can get.

Do you not think this is a bit of overkill as well as the fact that it is simply not true. A letter from an employer explaining lack of availability/ your importance to their organisation, is a perfectly reasonable and acceptable explanation for why you cannot do jury duty. You will not be questioned on it at all.

FionnK86

I've a small update on this.

My employer is fine with paying me while I attend Jury Duty, and says it will be a good experience. There is the chance I will not be selected, and as I put down "Student/Working at Bus Company" on the sheet, I may get an exemption (for their 'full time student' clause). I will update you on the situation as it progresses and of course let you know how I find this experience, it's another month away anyway

Cheers,

FionnK86

SpaceTime

If you're a full time student just send a copy of your student ID

You sure you've passed all exams and don't have resits etc?

Courts don't want jurors who might need to vanish mid case.

Bear in mind you can be called but not needed for weeks. It could well be the new term by the time they've a case.

g.a.b.e.

When you are discharged from jury duty, you will be given a letter to state the dates and times you attended. I was not selected for a jury but attended for 3 mornings.

My employer only paid me for 3 mornings, stating that I should have returned to work after being dismissed each day, even though my shift had been covered by another staff member.

Just be aware so you don't end up out of pocket like me.

FionnK86

g.a.b.e. wrote: »

When you are discharged from jury duty, you will be given a letter to state the dates and times you attended. I was not selected for a jury but attended for 3 mornings.

My employer only paid me for 3 mornings, stating that I should have returned to work after being dismissed each day, even though my shift had been covered by another staff member.

Just be aware so you don't end up out of pocket like me.

Thanks g.a.b.e. I will probably end up doing night shifts in work as I get off Jury Duty if the days are too gruelling. After you weren't selected are you exempt for 3 years?

g.a.b.e.

FionnK86 wrote: »

Thanks g.a.b.e. I will probably end up doing night shifts in work as I get off Jury Duty if the days are too gruelling. After you weren't selected are you exempt for 3 years?

I'm not sure. I was called again 4 years later, but had a hospital appointment so I was excused.

myshirt

Did you read the op's posts or not? He didn't want to do the jury service, he wanted to work. A letter from an employer explaining lack of availability/ your importance to their organisation, is a perfectly reasonable and acceptable on a bona fides basis, not on the basis that you want to work instead. Equally, the registrar will not be compelled to let you go, it is a concession.

In any event, the guy is a student, on a summer job, in a bus company... I am going to go out on a limb here and say the probability is that they do not have keyman insurance taken out on this guy.... he can be replaced.. awkward, inconvenient, hassle, yes... but this is the chap's civic duty. I would absolutely 1 million percent hammer anyone who tried to duck and dodge jury service, and this is a case where I would press it to ensure the reason is legitimate. A sensible courts service would also.

History Queen wrote: »

Do you not think this is a bit of overkill as well as the fact that it is simply not true. A letter from an employer explaining lack of availability/ your importance to their organisation, is a perfectly reasonable and acceptable explanation for why you cannot do jury duty. You will not be questioned on it at all.

SpaceTime

Wouldn't fancy being tried by a highly disgruntled jury!