Why is the only thing I 'win' .................... .................... ..

I was called for jury service about 20yrs ago,but got a letter from my dr as i,m hard of hearing so i didnt have to go.My Oh has been called too but he enjoys that.

I did Jury service many years ago, prob in my forties. There were two very harrowing cases, one involving injury to a child. The other case was gbh, and the jury was repeatedly sent out while they discussed a point which may have caused bias. After the verdict we heard information which clearly showed we'd made the wrong decision and one if the jury members, a young girl, was in tears. We were left feeling absolutely gutted.
So don't wish for something like that, you're not part of a TV show, its real life and not meant to be enjoyable.

I've had to do jury service twice. Both times I loathed and resented it. My mother, on the other hand, always longed to do jury service and once went into the court offices to ask if there was any way she could ensure she got summoned! Her wish was never fulfilled.

I was wondering: is there anyone here who, like my mom, has always wanted to be on a jury but then, when it actually happened, found it a dreadful experience and wish they'd not been called at all?

But I can see that an 18 year old dog might have needed letting out rather frequently

I’m disappointed, nurselcrys, seriously hoped your dog had been called.

I've been called twice - once years ago, when I had a toddler, a breast-fed young baby, and a Dh working abroad. I was excused.
2nd time was a couple of years ago - 2 cases, just the standard 2 weeks. I found it very interesting, and reassuring to see how it all worked in real life. In particular I was reassured by both judges impressing on us that if we had the slightest doubt of someone's guilt, we MUST return a not guilty verdict.
Another thing I've never seen on TV - when we were taken off to deliberate, the usher also had to swear an oath that she would not allow anyone to speak to us or contact us in any way about the case.
Also found interesting posters on the jury room walls, with really severe warnings about discussing the case outside, or using google/internet to research the defendant. A former juror, a senior academic who you'd think might know better, had been banged up for several months for doing precisely that.

GabriellaG Thanks for the reply.

I have done jury service once and to be honest I didn’t enjoy it, they were just small issues and really they could have been sorted out in a magistrate court. Waste of tax payers money.

I’ve been called twice. First time was a horrible rape case. We found him guilty because the evidence was so strong and we were congratulated for doing so. He had got away with it several times before.?
The second time was within two years of the first so I was excused. Which I suppose proves the random nature of the call.

Meant DGS

Have never been called for jury service but wouldn't mind if I was. However my dogs was called at the age of 18 the same week he was commending nursing training at uni. He was excused though.

I too have been called twice years ago but couldnt do it either time due to having a youg baby once and being ill the other time. I have always looked forward to doing it as I think it would be very interesting but I think Im too old now!

Don’t ignore it, you can be fined

I was called to do Jury Service at the Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court) even though I lived in Surrey but within the M25, last group of Jurors to be called up from that area. Our Induction was in No 1 Court where people like the Krays were tried, hope that's the only time I'll ever "appear" in that Courtroom.

1st day was just sitting around, 2nd morning a group of us were sent round to the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand for a Civil Case. Libel case between Neil Fould's (snooker player) Father & Mirror Group Newspapers. Very interesting case & I thoroughly enjoyed it even though we felt that morally the verdict was wrong, MGN won the case & bankrupted other party but you can only go with the evidence.

As for winning things, I have had a few useful wins, last one was a Fairy washing competition, large box of Fairy pods which I kept, big box of Washing Powder & large bottle of Fabric Conditioner which DD had as she was pregnant with DGS2

tiggypiro That is so unfair! Poor you! I haven't a clue why it happens but it's meant to be random selection, I think.

Maybe it will be a gripping case and you will be an essential member of the Jury, with expert knowledge and experience and filled with logic and absolutely unbiased by anything so that this hallmark case, which is important in the annals of Law, the first of its kind, is referred to for ever after and you will know, secretly in your heart, that without your steady guidance this would never have happened.....

Just ignore the letter, they always send out to more people than they need... someone had told my hubby the same thing when he was called up,,, I think he had a second one and that was ignored too... The letters are not sent by recorded post so no proof you received it...

I have always wanted to do it and been called twice. First time my son was young and childcare was an issue so I was exempted. Second time I had to be exempted on health grounds! I don't know any one else who has ever been called.

GabriellaG If you are in the UK, the law has been changed. I can't remember when but it was some time ago now. I am a retired solicitor and was called (although I was excused on health reasons).

I've always dreaded jury service and thus far have been lucky enough not to be called, touch wood.
As for winning better things, £60 of M&S underwear of my choice, £1,000 on an annual prize draw, a rugby book and a share of £800 (between 10 colleagues) in the Lotto.
I've never won 'the big one' and can't remember if I've still got Premium bonds which have been a complete and utter waste of time.
I've applied to go on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' but I bet they'll think that I'm not 'televisually' interesting enough to be called. Plus I'd probably die of fright if I ever got to the spotlight.

I was called last year but thankfully because of my disabilities I didn’t have to go,first time I have ever been pleased about being disabled

I have been called three times - first time I went on a case and even though the court was about 25 miles from where I lived the accused was from the village where I lived at the time. I didn't personally know him but when the first witness came on i knew him so had to tell the bailiff, just in case I would know any other witnesses. Because i said within a few minutes they only replaced me not everyone.
The second time managed to get off because of work, third time couldn't get off but it was deferred for a year - got on a case where we found him not guilty due to lack of evidence by the police even though it was supposed to be rape.

No-one else in the family have been called at all

danceagran
It's totally random and taken from electoral lists with no bias as to gender or anything else.
You are sent a form which you MUST fill in and return within 14 days, giving your age, job and other criteria as the selection process cannot get those details from the electoral register. Certain exemptions apply and some can be deferred (such as being in hospital) but you'll have to give details as to your future availability.

The upper age has now been raised to 75.

As a retired lawyer I'm not eligible but it's nothing like those scenes depicted on tv. Often boring and btw, jurors can't take mobiles or handbags into the courts.

Aepgirl It really is random. Some people get called quite often and many people not at all.