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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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skooterblue2 wrote: »

Once again, if you want to get out of it read between the lines. It is very possible if you are motivated. Only idiots and people with a deep interest in law serve on juries.

...and people with a sense of civic responsibility.

skooterblue2

tringle wrote: »

Ive was called 3 times in 10 years but never served. All the local court. Turned up first time and was about 100 people there called.. It was literally a raffle pulling numbers and i wasnt one of them. 2 people got excused as they knew those involved though im surprised it wasnt more. It was a death by accident and everyone knew about it. 3 people whose numbers were pulled werent in the courtroom, the judge said they would be contacted and fined. Neither legal side objected to anyone at all, in fact i wasnt even aware of them there. Second time i was excused due to work, as a teacher with timetabled classes i didnt have to attend. Third time i was excused on medical grounds.

Once again, if you want to get out of it read between the lines. It is very possible if you are motivated. Only idiots and people with a deep interest in law serve on juries.

Psychiatric Patrick

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

I am not an ISL user. So am goosed.

Still no reply from the Courts Service to my pleading email. Will have to just turn up on the day and explain my predicament. It is stressful.

I did serve on a jury for two weeks back in the day, but really cannot do it anymore for the sake of the accused and the proceedings and the jury room stuff.

Did my bit. But am a bit concerned that if I am fined I might have a conviction. That is not what I want at all.

Fined for what?

You made several attempts at communication to explain the situation that have gone unanswered and are willing to show up on the day to do so again.

You cannot perform the task they are requesting you for so I don’t understand why you think you’ll get a fine or in trouble.

If you are worried why don’t you go to the court on your next available day and get it all sorted out?

tringle

Ive was called 3 times in 10 years but never served. All the local court. Turned up first time and was about 100 people there called.. It was literally a raffle pulling numbers and i wasnt one of them. 2 people got excused as they knew those involved though im surprised it wasnt more. It was a death by accident and everyone knew about it. 3 people whose numbers were pulled werent in the courtroom, the judge said they would be contacted and fined. Neither legal side objected to anyone at all, in fact i wasnt even aware of them there. Second time i was excused due to work, as a teacher with timetabled classes i didnt have to attend. Third time i was excused on medical grounds.

Psychiatric Patrick

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

You wouldn’t know what anyone else’s opinion was until all the evidence is heard and you’re in the room deliberating. While the trial is ongoing, you’re told in no uncertain terms not to discuss the case with anyone. That includes other jurors. When we were brought out for lunch, we had someone with us at all times. We were bought in a Garda van to the restaurant, with someone from the court sitting with us, brought in through a back entrance down a lane way, sat in a private room, given a special menu and only allowed speak to the waiting staff to say what we wanted. There’s no scope for chatting about the case to the other jurors before the deliberation part (over lunch and in the van, we could chat about other things), and if it did happen, the court would certainly want to know about it.

Were the Garda driver and the court official allowed to eat?

skooterblue2

begbysback wrote: »

Let me see if I have this right, a criminal who has no money as it is, is now going to have less money, and you think this will prevent them from committing another crime?

Should have thought of that before he did the crime.

begbysback

skooterblue2 wrote: »

That is not what I said.

You will get legal representation but before you commit a crime, you will think twice about the consequences.

Let me see if I have this right, a criminal who has no money as it is, is now going to have less money, and you think this will prevent them from committing another crime?

skooterblue2

Nexytus wrote: »

Anyone that pleads 'not guilty' and uses legal aid and is subsequently found guilty should be invoiced by the state for those legal services. Until the bill is paid then no more legal aid for the rest of your life.

How much is a solicitor? €500 an hour? 5 hours pretrial work and another day in court? That will put manners on you.

skooterblue2

I got called up three times. I didnt want to do it, absolutely no fuppin' way.
My house is 40 miles from the city.

I got excused the first time because I was a serving member of the defence forces.
I got excused the second time because I was at college over 100 miles away and couldnt miss the time.
I got excused the third time because I was on disability and havent been called since.

I wouldnt put my trust in a jury who weren't smart enough to get out of service in the first place. My wife is dying to get called for service. She has an interest in law, I dont. If you read down through the list of exemption, you can get off. The only people who serve on juries are the ones who want to serve and the ones not bright enough to get off.

Nexytus

begbysback wrote: »

So you think only the wealthy should have access to effective legal representation?

Anyone that pleads 'not guilty' and uses legal aid and is subsequently found guilty should be invoiced by the state for those legal services. Until the bill is paid then no more legal aid for the rest of your life.

BoroMan32

I was called up a few years ago, really didn't want to be selected but I was.

It was a rape/sexual abuse case involving some scruffy old bum and a teenage boy, so wouldn't have been an easy case to sit through.

As it turned out on the first day of the trial, we were informed that the trial wouldn't be proceeding. I can't remember the legal specifics, but I think it was based around a nolle prosequi on various charges after a changed plea to guilty on the more serious charge, or something along those lines.

skooterblue2

begbysback wrote: »

So you think only the wealthy should have access to effective legal representation?

That is not what I said.

You will get legal representation but before you commit a crime, you will think twice about the consequences.

skooterblue2

YFlyer wrote: »

I would hang other jury members if they had a negative attitude to an accuse before all evidence was displayed.

You form an opinion from listening to deliberations and the evidence presented at the time. It is impossible to wait for ALL the evidence to be presented before you before you start to form an opinion. You can change your opinion during the trial but once you know that a person has been arrested by a guard and charged you then start to form an opinion.

begbysback

skooterblue2 wrote: »

Anyone want to cut out Jury Duty?
Get rid of free legal aid. Sure you can smash a guys head in and you will get legal representation.
Here is the kicker, if found guilty all your solicitors fees will come out of your own pocket or social welfare at €100 a week.
There goes social welfare for solicitors.

So you think only the wealthy should have access to effective legal representation?

Gregor Samsa

ED E wrote: »

When you say a garda van are you talking the drunk bus or the minivans like the public order units arrive in? Id hope the latter.

It was like a Transit minibus.

Pretty sure it was a Garda vehicle and not a Court Services one, but I could be wrong. It was a long time ago. I read an article about someone’s experience doing jury duty and they mention a “jury canteen”, but we were definitely taken out to a pub/restaurant - just weren’t allowed to mix with the public and were chaperoned at all times - even to the bathroom.

skooterblue2

Anyone want to cut out Jury Duty?
Get rid of free legal aid. Sure you can smash a guys head in and you will get legal representation.
Here is the kicker, if found guilty all your solicitors fees will come out of your own pocket or social welfare at €100 a week.
There goes social welfare for solicitors.

ED E

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

You wouldn’t know what anyone else’s opinion was until all the evidence is heard and you’re in the room deliberating. While the trial is ongoing, you’re told in no uncertain terms not to discuss the case with anyone. That includes other jurors. When we were brought out for lunch, we had someone with us at all times. We were bought in a Garda van to the restaurant, with someone from the court sitting with us, brought in through a back entrance down a lane way, sat in a private room, given a special menu and only allowed speak to the waiting staff to say what we wanted. There’s no scope for chatting about the case to the other jurors before the deliberation part (over lunch and in the van, we could chat about other things), and if it did happen, the court would certainly want to know about it.

When you say a garda van are you talking the drunk bus or the minivans like the public order units arrive in? Id hope the latter.

skooterblue2

RedXIV wrote: »

Due to go in a few weeks. Very much looking forward to it, be a nice break from work, even if I don't get selected

First time? Bring a book to read/ battery charger for the phone/cross word/ sudoku/ etc etc

You could be a whole day in the pool waiting to be called. Happened to my wife three times.

YFlyer

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

You wouldn’t know what anyone else’s opinion was until all the evidence is heard and you’re in the room deliberating. While the trial is ongoing, you’re told in no uncertain terms not to discuss the case with anyone. That includes other jurors. When we were brought out for lunch, we had someone with us at all times. We were bought in a Garda van to the restaurant, with someone from the court sitting with us, brought in through a back entrance down a lane way, sat in a private room, given a special menu and only allowed speak to the waiting staff to say what we wanted. There’s no scope for chatting about the case to the other jurors before the deliberation part (over lunch and in the van, we could chat about other things), and if it did happen, the court would certainly want to know about it.

People talk.

Gregor Samsa

YFlyer wrote: »

I would hang other jury members if they had a negative attitude to an accuse before all evidence was displayed.

You wouldn’t know what anyone else’s opinion was until all the evidence is heard and you’re in the room deliberating. While the trial is ongoing, you’re told in no uncertain terms not to discuss the case with anyone. That includes other jurors. When we were brought out for lunch, we had someone with us at all times. We were bought in a Garda van to the restaurant, with someone from the court sitting with us, brought in through a back entrance down a lane way, sat in a private room, given a special menu and only allowed speak to the waiting staff to say what we wanted. There’s no scope for chatting about the case to the other jurors before the deliberation part (over lunch and in the van, we could chat about other things), and if it did happen, the court would certainly want to know about it.

YFlyer

mojesius wrote: »

I've been called for the panel twice, selected to serve once.

It was quite a harrowing case, went on for 8 days and we all got a lifetime exemption from the judge afterwards, but I'd still serve again if called up.

I don't really understand why people try to weasel out of it. Sure if you have kids to mind or a struggling business to keep afloat, I get it but everyone else should be prepared to do their civic duty.

Will you still get paid at your job?

YFlyer

I would hang other jury members if they had a negative attitude to an accuse before all evidence was displayed.

YFlyer

Psychiatric Patrick wrote: »

A good old fashioned Irish one like!!!

A one where he won't have to shat it.

Errashareesh

FarmerBrowne wrote: »

I'll see that Quimby kid hang for this.

How many s's in "innocent"?

Gregor Samsa

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

For those who have served, does it get terminally boring listen to in-depth, sometimes technical detail?

I'm not sure how well I'd survive not being able to use the phone or the laptop for a full day? I'd also be stuck with note-taking, as I haven't used pen and paper for note-taking in 20 years.

The one I was on wasn’t very technical. There was a bit of tedious detail gone over with a fine tooth comb. The whole thing is certainly nothing like TV - there’s no drama or theatrics, so from that point of view it’s far from exciting. So you do need to focus. But the sessions aren’t very long.

There’s no real need to take notes (although you can) - the judge sums up all the evidence at the end, and you’ve access to the transcripts of all testimony during deliberation.

SeaFields

Was called a few years ago along with Mrs Seafieds. The letters arrived the same day! Would have loved to have gone along as I think I would have found it interesting. We literally were just home with a new born baby so we were excused.

My father was on a jury for a murder trial years ago. He still mentions it from time to time. It's bound to take its toll on people for some of the more brutal crimes.

[Deleted User]

For those who have served, does it get terminally boring listen to in-depth, sometimes technical detail?

I'm not sure how well I'd survive not being able to use the phone or the laptop for a full day? I'd also be stuck with note-taking, as I haven't used pen and paper for note-taking in 20 years.

SEPT 23 1989

Yyhhuuu wrote: »

Why aren't self employed jurors paid by the courts service for their time and work on Juries. Seems only fair.

It's not even the payment

You get into a serious case taking time and you won't have a business to come back to after it

One significant section of society is never represented in the courts of law

Pity

Yyhhuuu

The state refer to it as Jury Service, rather than Jury Duty.

BeerWolf

Was on Jury Duty earlier this year, took 4 days... of some drunk old man smashing a bottle over some tourist's head. Found him Guilty.

Exciting stuff...!