Got called for jury duty :(

OU812

Although I’d look forward to doing it, it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

I’m a contractor who doesn’t get paid if I don’t work and I’m literally only back from two weeks holiday (which I also don’t get paid for), the week before.

There’s no way I can go up to another two weeks with no income, been almost impossible to get this money for this holiday together (I’m not a particularly well paid contractor) but I haven’t been away in a couple of years.

Do you think I have a chance of being let off?

sunshine and showers

OU812 wrote: »

Although I’d look forward to doing it, it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

I’m a contractor who doesn’t get paid if I don’t work and I’m literally only back from two weeks holiday (which I also don’t get paid for), the week before.

There’s no way I can go up to another two weeks with no income, been almost impossible to get this money for this holiday together (I’m not a particularly well paid contractor) but I haven’t been away in a couple of years.

Do you think I have a chance of being let off?

You'll have to go, but you should explain the above the the judge. They may have sympathy for you and let you go.

F1ngers

OU812 wrote: »

Although I’d look forward to doing it, it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

I’m a contractor who doesn’t get paid if I don’t work and I’m literally only back from two weeks holiday (which I also don’t get paid for), the week before.

There’s no way I can go up to another two weeks with no income, been almost impossible to get this money for this holiday together (I’m not a particularly well paid contractor) but I haven’t been away in a couple of years.

Do you think I have a chance of being let off?

If you are self-employed and work alone and where your attendance at jury service may mean you cannot earn a living, you may qualify for excusal from jury service. Contact the jury office of the Court for more information.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/courtroom/jury_service.html

OU812

From the citizen's information page (my emphasis):

If you are in employment, the Juries Act 1976 (Section 29) places a duty on your employer to allow you attend for jury service. It is further specified in the law that time spent on jury service is to be treated as if the employee were actually employed. In other words, if you are in employment and are attending for jury service, you are entitled to be paid while you are away from work. Anyone with a contract of employment (i.e., temporary workers, contract workers, etc.) is entitled to be paid by their employer while they are on jury service. There should also be no loss of any other employment rights while you serve on a jury. The Jury office will provide a certificate of attendance on request.

Does that mean my employer will have to pay me for the time I'm there?
(in which case, I've no problem serving)

Stheno

OU812 wrote: »

From the citizen's information page (my emphasis):

If you are in employment, the Juries Act 1976 (Section 29) places a duty on your employer to allow you attend for jury service. It is further specified in the law that time spent on jury service is to be treated as if the employee were actually employed. In other words, if you are in employment and are attending for jury service, you are entitled to be paid while you are away from work. Anyone with a contract of employment (i.e., temporary workers, contract workers, etc.) is entitled to be paid by their employer while they are on jury service. There should also be no loss of any other employment rights while you serve on a jury. The Jury office will provide a certificate of attendance on request.

Does that mean my employer will have to pay me for the time I'm there?
(in which case, I've no problem serving)

Are you a self employed contractor invoicing a company?

punisher5112

Force majeure leave is an option.


One option could be just keep saying guilty and not guilty out loud.

beertons

I'd say you're going for jury selection. Let's say you knew someone who might or might not have mentioned the name of a person mentioned during the talk of the day, maybe one of the defence's witnesses. You'd have to be dismissed, and thanked for your time.

OU812

Stheno wrote: »

Are you a self employed contractor invoicing a company?

Yes. I'm actually a subcontractor.

The company where I perform my job, hire the company I invoice for my time to supply me (& others). I'm responsible for my own taxation.

hullaballoo

beertons wrote: »

I'd say you're going for jury selection. Let's say you knew someone who might or might not have mentioned the name of a person mentioned during the talk of the day, maybe one of the defence's witnesses. You'd have to be dismissed, and thanked for your time.

You probably are not familiar with this forum but advocating criminal activity is unsurprisingly frowned upon and what you are suggesting is a criminal act.

nuckeythompson

I was asked and returned the summons stating I felt AGS were a corrupt organisation. The duly wrote back excusing me of jury duty

tayto lover

My sister was on a jury recently - armed robbery.
The trial lasted 3 days.
She really enjoyed the experience.
If someone covers your expenses OP then go and do your duty.

tayto lover

nuckeythompson wrote: »

I was asked and returned the summons stating I felt AGS were a corrupt organisation. The duly wrote back excusing me of jury duty

:rolleyes:

osarusan

I got excused from jury duty about 4 months ago.

There is a form that comes with the summons that you can fill in asking to be excused.

I did that, along with a letter saying that my job was at a particularly important point and that tasks couldn't be moved to other days (which was all true). In my case I had a boss that wrote a letter supporting my request.

Researching the best way to make my request, I remember reading that self-employed people may be excused (as other posters have pointed out).