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Child Item

Jury Duty

Thelonious Monk

I just got summoned for this last week. Again. A couple of years ago I got it for the first time and showed up at the central criminal court, and lo and behold they put me on the jury for that whole Sean Fitzpatrick thing. When we came to the first day of the trial the judge asked me to present myself and then said I was excused. I asked the usher why and he said something about a junior counsel having met me socially before, or something. It's actually a good thing that happened because it turned out I had worked with one of the main witnesses before and just wasn't listening when they asked if we knew any of the witnesses. I never found out who it was that knew me. Thank God I was thrown off though as the case ended up being the longest one in Irish legal history, 6 months of showing up to court at the far end of town.
Has anyone else been drafted? Share your jury stories here.

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Psychiatric Patrick

Badly Drunk Boy wrote: »

I was never called, and only know of two people who were, both colleagues. One of them was called twice but wasn't selected for the jury. The other was on the jury for the Scissors Sisters. :eek: I'd say that was 'interesting' but I never asked him about it.

I'm sure others I know must have been called but just never mentioned it.

Are jurors allowed to tell people about the trials they've been involved in?

I know there is nothing to stop people blabbing but are you supposed to not talk about it.

tscul32

I posted my request to be excused just the other day. Got called up about 10 years ago but was at home with small kids so that excused me. This time I wouldn't mind doing it but still have an 8 yo that I drive to and from school. I work part time and am the only employee but my employers said they'd cope if they had to. Don't want to ask my parents to do school run though, what with covid doing the rounds. And my husband has his own full time job. Older kids are in secondary, and if the youngest was too I'd jump at the chance.

RasTa

Twice, first case was a bank robbery. Second was a fight in Fairview Park.

Second was boring but I got fully paid and 2 weeks off work each time, was grand. We got food as well but the first time we where brought out to the pub for food. Second was in the canteen of the courts and wasn't up to standard.

Badly Drunk Boy

I was never called, and only know of two people who were, both colleagues. One of them was called twice but wasn't selected for the jury. The other was on the jury for the Scissors Sisters. :eek: I'd say that was 'interesting' but I never asked him about it.

I'm sure others I know must have been called but just never mentioned it.

koutoubia

Juror in a murder trial a few years back.
3 weeks long.
Was an eye opener in many ways.
Got an exempt from jury duty for life letter after it but got a call a few months back to attend. Sent a copy of the letter in and was excused.

Lewis_Benson

Got a summons around 2004, made up some excuse about work and the fact that I didn't drive at the time.
I'd have no Interest to be honest, I've better things to be doing.

And I'd be too prejudice anyway.
If they looked at all scummy they'd be guilty.

Borgo

CrankyHaus wrote: »

This is the right advice. I always tell mates that if they can't get out of it any other way to show up either looking like the monopoly man or the accused. Go for one of the extremes and you'll get booted by the defence or the prosecution; they want middle of the road types they feel they can influence.

Its actually not like that anymore. I done it December last year and you would be very suprised at the mix of people on a jury these days.

CrankyHaus

blackbox wrote: »

I'm a bit disgusted by the attitude of posters who want to get out of jury duty for no good reason - and then some complain about the make-up of juries.

Do they not feel any responsibility to their community or their country?

Are these the same people who leave their litter on beaches and throw their cigarette butts on the ground and don't clean up after their dog?

The whole legal system in this country is a farce. The public interest and basic justice is routinely ignored to keep the gravy train running. If you want to help perpetuate this by giving your time for free that's your choice; but don't tell other people that they have to.
That's before we even get into issues of jury safety, which I have zero confidence in the system to ensure or even give two hoots about in most cases.

Sure if we ever get a proper, functioning legal system then Jury duty may be a citizen's duty but until then I'll give it a miss, thanks.

Psychiatric Patrick

I'd say the rest of the video has the scouser balling crying.

It might have been aggressive in the struggle with the cop but you can see in it's face that it is shocked the cop is putting hands on.

Knew lots of this type in school and early jobs. All gob but when the teacher or co-worker throws a shape they crumble fast.

raxy

buried wrote: »

This seems to be a frequent thing now, upcoming cases that probably won't go ahead. Were you told why it wasn't going to go ahead?

There's a very strong case against them & if it goes to court they'll get jail time. He said he thinks they're just delaying the inevitable & dragging it out but will plead guilty before the trial date.

Psychiatric Patrick

Vita nova wrote: »

I was one of a panel of about 100 people called up for jury duty but was never selected for a jury. I was drawn out of the panel but then rejected by the defence; I assume because I had some expert knowledge in an area that was mentioned in my profile and would have been to the detriment of the defence case.

I remember when I was a kid my my mother got a letter for jury duty.

If I'm recollecting correctly I was told all she did was sit with a few other people in a waiting area over the course of a few days as people were selected for a few different trials. She was never called and at the wend of the week was told go home and that was that.

Sounds like the it was one of those panels.

Grab All Association

Got one too for 8am FFS

Psychiatric Patrick

Count Down wrote: »

You could say the same about judges who might obviously not like the defendant or plaintiff for whatever reason - such as homophobia, racism, class etc. Also could a judge not be 'got at' just like anyone else? Can a barrister object to the appointment of a certain judge in such a case?
A jury of professional jurors would, in all likelihood, be a cross-section of society, therefore a jury of peers, surely?

That is true about judges - didn't think of that - but isn't protections in place to stop a judge being intimidated? And I think a judge's prejudices would be easier to stop over time than a juror as only the judge speaks in court - with a juror you'd have to rely on other jurors reporting prejudices.

Just rambling a bit as the concept of a professional juror is new to me.

How would you become a professional juror? Training? A college course?

This means that you are no longer an "average person" but I never understood how a jury are "peers".

If I'm from a working class background, dropped out of college, has mental issues and traveled around the world how am I a peer to a university graduated accountant from a middle class background with fondness for golf, cocaine and whores? I'd tell the the judge that I take offence that this person is a peer of mine. :P

retalivity

I was called a few weeks back, as I am self employed I wrote a letter asking to get out of it as if I am not working, I am not getting paid, which was accepted.

Turns out it was for the trial of that young lad that was murdered in dundrum over his bike, probably a good thing im not there as I am already prejudiced against the scrote who did it.

Nexytus

blackbox wrote: »

Are these the same people who leave their litter on beaches and throw their cigarette butts on the ground and don't clean up after their dog?

The Jury's out on that one.

blackbox

I'm a bit disgusted by the attitude of posters who want to get out of jury duty for no good reason - and then some complain about the make-up of juries.

Do they not feel any responsibility to their community or their country?

Are these the same people who leave their litter on beaches and throw their cigarette butts on the ground and don't clean up after their dog?

Vita nova

I was one of a panel of about 100 people called up for jury duty but was never selected for a jury. I was drawn out of the panel but then rejected by the defence; I assume because I had some expert knowledge in an area that was mentioned in my profile and would have been to the detriment of the defence case.

Count Down

Psychiatric Patrick wrote: »

Like some kind of professional jurors?

Then it isn't a jury of peers.

Also wouldn't it lead to more miscarriages of justice itself - easy to guess at which juror will be selected and get them in your pocket.

You could say the same about judges who might obviously not like the defendant or plaintiff for whatever reason - such as homophobia, racism, class etc. Also could a judge not be 'got at' just like anyone else? Can a barrister object to the appointment of a certain judge in such a case?
A jury of professional jurors would, in all likelihood, be a cross-section of society, therefore a jury of peers, surely?

deise08

Got called last year for back up jury in the first case.. Well known name..
Thankfully I heard me being recognised as soon as I walked into the court room.
Wasn't needed for that one, so had to come back the next day.
Took a week of jury picking. Got picked on the Friday, but I knew who the people were so explained to the judge and was excused.

Found it very harrowing to be honest, especially as I work in a very public role.

I think people from a neighbouring county should be picked as jurors in your county.. Irish counties/cities are way too small to not be knowing people.

CrankyHaus

buried wrote: »

Show up with a MAGA hat. You won't even be picked for your own funeral wearing one a them things.

This is the right advice. I always tell mates that if they can't get out of it any other way to show up either looking like the monopoly man or the accused. Go for one of the extremes and you'll get booted by the defence or the prosecution; they want middle of the road types they feel they can influence.

Psychiatric Patrick

BobMc wrote: »

I'd be along same !, most likely guilty of something, do they disclose previous conviction to jury, more than one previous , GUILTY !!

I'd been requested for service twice, would love to do it someday, wrote in excuse letter via registered post, small family business just me and dad he's in late 60's so If I'm not working no income for both of us, not had any bother

You have a reason you can't do it.

I'm shocked at the number here talking about "getting out of it".

Psychiatric Patrick

Count Down wrote: »

What I can never understand is when a judge instructs the jury to declare a 'not guilty' verdict, usually when the defendant avails of a legal loophole or technicality.
What's the point in having a jury in the first place if they can't make their own decision?
Also, what if the jury defied the judge and returned a 'guilty' verdict anyway, especially if the defendant was obviously guilty? Imagine the reaction of the pompous old fossil! Not to mention the press... I'd love to do that if I was on a jury in that situation.
Can think of a few cases over the years where this happened.... disgraceful system.
Juries should be made up of specially recruited people, same as any other full-time job, not random people, some of whom don't even want to be there, and just want to go home so they reach a quick (possibly incorrect) verdict.
Result: a miscarriage of justice or some backstard gets off scot free.:eek:

Like some kind of professional jurors?

Then it isn't a jury of peers.

Also wouldn't it lead to more miscarriages of justice itself - easy to guess at which juror will be selected and get them in your pocket.

BobMc

KungPao wrote: »

I’d quite like to do jury duty, but I am fairly prejudiced. Grey tracksuit, hand at or near groin, and smoke Jonnie Blue? Guilty.

To the gallows with him.

I'd be along same !, most likely guilty of something, do they disclose previous conviction to jury, more than one previous , GUILTY !!

I'd been requested for service twice, would love to do it someday, wrote in excuse letter via registered post, small family business just me and dad he's in late 60's so If I'm not working no income for both of us, not had any bother

Ashbourne hoop

Done Jury Duty about 20 years ago. Serious case too. Good experience to be honest. The food was really good and at the end we were put up in a hotel overnight to continue deliberations the next morning. The Judge said because of our civic duty he was awarding us all 3 pints on the state( I swear I'm not making that up), the garda who was looking after us was sound but eventually, at about 3 in the morning he told us to go to bed.

Continued deliberating and eventually the guy was found guilty on the lesser charge, even though there was very little evidence. It was a bit of an eye opener, I'd take my chances with a non jury court to be honest.

Count Down

What I can never understand is when a judge instructs the jury to declare a 'not guilty' verdict, usually when the defendant avails of a legal loophole or technicality.
What's the point in having a jury in the first place if they can't make their own decision?

Also, what if the jury defied the judge and returned a 'guilty' verdict anyway, especially if the defendant was obviously guilty? Imagine the reaction of the pompous old fossil! Not to mention the press... I'd love to do that if I was on a jury in that situation.

Can think of a few cases over the years where this happened.... disgraceful system.
Juries should be made up of specially recruited people, same as any other full-time job, not random people, some of whom don't even want to be there, and just want to go home so they reach a quick (possibly incorrect) verdict.
Result: a miscarriage of justice or some backstard gets off scot free.:eek:

[Deleted User]

Been called twice and got out of it twice with letters from my employer (different employers for the different times I was called).

GBX

Sat on a jury before. Could have got out but wanted to do it once in my lifetime. Enjoyed the experience.

Psychiatric Patrick

ixoy wrote: »

Multiple times - there's no limit. I got a 10-year exemption the first time and only a 5-year exemption the second time (which I was annoyed at as the case was long).
Nothing stopping me being called repeatedly and bigger companies will generally not provide you with a letter to get out of it as they don't want to be seen to throwing their weight around.

I thought the limit was two.

I'm feeling a bit miff now. I first let the country the at 30 and been back for 5 years. No call up in 17 years?:(

Psychiatric Patrick

theteal wrote: »

I got summoned loads of times. Once the system hits your name, it's going to keep happening. Called up twice during college years which I got out of for exams. A year or two later got called up for the below yarn. Then got called again maybe 2 years later but had to explain I had a 10 year exemption. I'm sure it would still be happening if I was resident.

Yup, did a murder trial in the four courts about 17 (feck!) years ago. Eastern European lad stabbed another eastern European lad in the midst of a heavy drinking session. The dead guy was a bit dodgy and accused was in fear of life so "got away" with manslaughter. I remember 10 of the jury were fully agreed on that and deliberations could have lasted mere minutes but there are always one or two with "these foreigners cant be coming over here doing crimes hur dur. . . .". Anyway, still finished by lunchtime that Friday but missed the mcdonalds breakfast thanks to the two xenophobic lads.

Absolutely horrendous carry on. It is awful when racism gets in the way of an Egg McMuffin.

ixoy

Psychiatric Patrick wrote: »

How many times can a person be called?

Multiple times - there's no limit. I got a 10-year exemption the first time and only a 5-year exemption the second time (which I was annoyed at as the case was long).
Nothing stopping me being called repeatedly and bigger companies will generally not provide you with a letter to get out of it as they don't want to be seen to throwing their weight around.