Jury service advice.... (1 Viewer)

[Charlie123]

Slightly unusual one here !!

I’ve had notification that I have to do jury service.... I really don’t want to do it for personal reasons.....

The only solid reason I can give is I am my wife’s carer .. But as we choose not to claim money for that I’m supposing they would not accept that as an excuse.

I no longer work nor do I claim any benefits whatsoever. If I have to do it it seems I get no money other than travelling expenses so to pay for a carer for the duration however long it is would have to come out of our pockets... Im not very good at understanding the stuff on the internet about these things !

As far as the government are concerned I’m retired early claiming nothing at all. That is if fact exactly how it is.

I’m hoping some of you with experience can offer me some advice on how I stand regarding having to do the service or not and if I can claim expenses even if it’s only to cover someone looking after my wife.

What a lovely thing to have through the post on Christmas Eve... Mmmm

 

[Speve]

I don’t think you can get out of it, I was lucky when mine came up I went on first day only to be told the person in the dock had changed his plea and jury not required.

 

[pappajohn]

My thoughts are you're stuck with it and you won't get diddlysquat.

One advantage of a misspent youth.... You'll never get called for jury service.

 

[WillH]

I've been called before and though not had to serve it was presented that you had to have a very good reason to dip out. It was made clear it was your duty to serve. Call the court and explain your predicament.

 

[tonyandcarol]

Call the court and explain your reasons they are pretty understanding. I have done it my wife got called and she did not have to she explained her reasons and said she did not have to do it.

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[Riverbankannie]

My daughter and SIL had to cut short their honeymoon due to him being called for jury service.
It’s always worth a call to explain the situation though as @tonyandcarol have said.

 

[Mr Chrysalis]

I did it earlier in the year. I was on duty for about 2 weeks. It is very difficult to get out of. The only reason they seem to accept is if you have an exam booked or a foreign flight booked or an operation booked. They will pay your bus fares to and from the court but not generally car parking or petrol ( but there are exceptions) they will pay for loss of earnings but at a low rate and you would not qualify if you are retired. You cannot get expenses for child care so I assume that you would also not get expenses to hire someone in to care for your wife (and I know that’s not what you want to do anyway) . On the paperwork you have there should be the telephone number if the jury officer. They are quite understanding and helpful so it might be willing to help you find s solution. If not write a letter explaining your situation and that you are not able leave your wife without care.
If on the other hand you can make arrangements to be freed up for it, it is a very worthwhile experience. You will learn a lot about yourself and get to know a dozen fellow jurors quite well. There are however long periods of boredom whilst the court leaves you in the waiting room whilst they have legal arguments or other delays

Please let us know how you get on

 

[A and B in the Huzzie]

I was in exactly your situation. I called them up and explained the situation and was told I didn't need to attend. Shortly after I got a letter to confirm this and it went on to say I would never be called again.

Actually I would like to do it one day when it's more convenient to me but I seems they are human and have some compassion.

 

[Ivory55]

What about lack of interest or claim you’re racist, hard of hearing, you get bored easily and would have a job remembering what was said. Just a few ideas.

 

[Cliffdale]

I have done jury service and I quite enjoyed the court room drama. It was a real eye opener. I had 2 jury cases, one was a rape case and the other was a well known person accused of having sex with an under aged person.

From what I remember, I couldn't get out of the call.

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[Mr Chrysalis]

I just found this on the internet
“A decision about whether or not I am elligle to attend jury service was made in just 15 minutes today.
I am a full time carer for my partner, who is disabled following a stroke 10 years ago and Rhumatoid Arthritis more recently. I got a form 2 days ago to fill in and return to say that I was available for jury service. Because of my partners lack of mobility I have to attend to her frequently during the day. It is going to be very difficult if I am away all day doing jury service.
I sent an email, ellaborating on my daily tasks, to the Jurers Management team and also mentioned that our Doctor is sending me a letter confirming my partners mobility problems. But despite all this I got a reply within 15 minutes stating:

Unfortunately, at this time, being a carer is not grounds for exemption. I would therefore be grateful if you could complete and return your Form of Return in the pre-paid envelope provided.
Is this the usual response to carers or has any other carers received a sympathic response to their situation?”

Here is a link to that forum

https://www.carersuk.org/forum/support-and-advice/all-about-caring/jury-service-17813

 

[andy63]

Your reasoning for not wanting to do it sounds good enough ..they may well want a doctor to verify that you can not afford to be away from home ..
Got to be worth a call.. good luck..
Andy

 

[The general]

I have been called twice and been let off jury service both times , I won’t say how personal reasons , but I called the jury selection service London only to be met with a very abrupt person who could not understand my Hampshire accent if you know What i mean . She advised me to write a letter which I did and I was released from their list . When they select people for jury service they always select a higher number cause they know some people will be released or not suitable for case , ie nature of case . Let me assure you I think you will be released on grounds of being a carer especially if you can prove what you do like escorting your wife to hospital /doctor etc if you want send me a PM . And I could help further but it’s a legal field and I know someone who tried to get out of it and it backfired cause he told lies thus had to go to court himself

 

[Ivory55]

I do think that they should pay people a lot more for doing jury service than they do at present, after all its 2 or 3 weeks out of your life that you will never get back for something that’s nothing to do with you.

 

[The general]

What about lack of interest or claim you’re racist, hard of hearing, you get bored easily and would have a job remembering what was said. Just a few ideas.

Don’t work in fact being racist would get you in front of judge and a custodial sentence it as happen to a guy in my area it was in the papers

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[Zigisla]

When I was called, I simply told the court that I was a full time carer for New Entry Naval Air Engineers and I couldn't really be spared. They said that was fine, but I was only allowed one delay - you don't preclude yourself, just delay this particular time. I was re-called later on and explained the situation hadn't changed and that I would be eligible in 2020 when I retired or got another job, - 4 years in the future then. I now have an e-mail stating I am no longer required for Jury Service.
They always over subscribe the number of Jury Members they need just for this reason. Even if you turn up for day one selection, you can tell them again that you are a carer.
https://www.gov.uk/jury-service

 

[Ivory55]

Don’t work in fact being racist would get you in front of judge and a custodial sentence it as happen to a guy in my area it was in the papers

I did say ideas , we are only in the planing stages.

 

[The general]

I have done jury service and I quite enjoyed the court room drama. It was a real eye opener. I had 2 jury cases, one was a rape case and the other was a well known person accused of having sex with an under aged person
I thought you only had to do jury service once in your lifetime unless you like that sort of thing

 

[Chris]

I would write to them explaining the position, perhaps with a letter from your wife’s GP explaining her condition. Hopefully they will then excuse you.

For people who work, especially self employed, jury service is a PITA

 

[busby]

Slightly unusual one here !!

I’ve had notification that I have to do jury service.... I really don’t want to do it for personal reasons.....

The only solid reason I can give is I am my wife’s carer .. But as we choose not to claim money for that I’m supposing they would not accept that as an excuse.

I no longer work nor do I claim any benefits whatsoever. If I have to do it it seems I get no money other than travelling expenses so to pay for a carer for the duration however long it is would have to come out of our pockets... Im not very good at understanding the stuff on the internet about these things !

As far as the government are concerned I’m retired early claiming nothing at all. That is if fact exactly how it is.

I’m hoping some of you with experience can offer me some advice on how I stand regarding having to do the service or not and if I can claim expenses even if it’s only to cover someone looking after my wife.

What a lovely thing to have through the post on Christmas Eve... Mmmm

Cant understand why you don't claim Carers Allowance,,,its not Charity its like your pension etc you have paid in..If you were claiming i don't think they could call you up,,BUSBY..

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[The general]

I have done jury service and I quite enjoyed the court room drama. It was a real eye opener. I had 2 jury cases, one was a rape case and the other was a well known person accused of having sex with an under aged person.

From what I remember, I couldn't get out of the call.

I thought you only did jury service once unless you enjoy that sort of thing

 

[Chockswahay]

I've done it twice now and the last time i was called I said that I was an air ambulance pilot and that the NHS would suffer as a result............. they said OK and would not call me again! (that was in Scotland tho')

I would say you have a very good reason to decline, explain your predicament, they are human

 

[icantremember]

Many years ago Joyce got let off 'cos she was pregnant .. perhaps you could use the same excuse.

 

[pappajohn]

On day one say you know the defendant.

 

[The general]

True they ask you if you are released from jury service WHEN can you do it well last time I gave them a date and believe it or not if they stand by that date I know for a fact I will be excused again . There can’t be many punters excused service 3 times , happy days in a way ?

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[The general]

On day one say you know the defendant.

If true you will be excused but mucking about with the court system is frowned upon big time

 

[Wildbill]

On day one say you know the defendant.

That will get you off for that service but will only delay it
Bill

 

[Ivory55]

I would write to them explaining the position, perhaps with a letter from your wife’s GP explaining her condition. Hopefully they will then excuse you.

For people who work, especially self employed, jury service is a PITA

Yes for most people it’s a waste of 2 weeks of their lives.

 

[Wildbill]

Get I minor shop lifting convection never have to do it agane
I Don jurry service a few years ago two weeks exempted for 10 years after it must be due soon
Bill

 

[pappajohn]

If true you will be excused but mucking about with the court system is frowned upon big time

That will get you off for that service but will only delay it
Bill

Notice the SMILEY !!

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